By Sumesh Rajan | February 26, 2026
Belagavi, Karnataka, INDIA: What was initially suspected to be a case of unnatural death in a village in Karnataka’s Belagavi district has turned into an alleged pre-planned murder rooted in a long-standing property dispute.
On February 20, villagers found the body of a man lying in farmland on the outskirts of Hirenandihalli village. Police initially registered a case of unidentified death. During the course of the investigation, the deceased was identified as Kalmesh Koti, a native of the village who had been working as a daily wage labourer at a mutt in Tumakuru.
According to police, Kalmesh had returned to his native village to celebrate Maha Shivaratri, unaware of an alleged conspiracy to eliminate him.
Investigations revealed that Kalmesh and his wife, Kasturi Koti, had been living separately for nearly 12 years following marital disputes. Kasturi was residing at her parental home in Kundagol along with their son.
Police said that around five years ago, Kasturi had borrowed approximately ₹8 lakh from her brother, Mallesh Ambannavar, for their daughter’s marriage. The amount was reportedly raised by pledging three acres of ancestral land owned by Kalmesh. Disputes allegedly arose when Kalmesh refused to transfer ownership of the land or repay the loan amount.
According to investigators, Kasturi allegedly believed that in the event of Kalmesh’s death, the property would legally pass on to her, enabling her to sell the land and clear the debt owed to her brother.
On the day of the incident, Kalmesh was allegedly invited for a party by his brother-in-law, Mallesh. Police said he was taken to farmland belonging to Mallesh and his associate, Mudukappa Kolekar. There, the two allegedly strangled him using a rope.
After the murder, the accused allegedly shifted the body to another farmland in an attempt to mislead investigators and staged the scene to suggest that Kalmesh had suffered a heart attack.
During sustained questioning, police uncovered the alleged conspiracy involving Kasturi and the couple’s son, Kiran Koti, who are believed to have been aware of the plan.
Police have arrested Mallesh Ambannavar, Mudukappa Kolekar, Kasturi Koti and Kiran Koti in connection with the case. All four have been remanded to Hindalga Central Jail.
Belagavi Superintendent of Police Ramrajan said the murder appeared to be a premeditated act driven by a property dispute. Further investigation is underway.
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