Man hires contract killers to murder wife

Dharwad: Dharwad Rural police cracked a case involving the murder of a woman who was allegedly killed by contract killers hired by her husband for Rs 40 lakh to avoid paying maintenance to her.Addressing a press conference on Monday evening, SP Gunjan Arya said that on Feb 26, a road accident was reported near Amminabhavi on the Savadatti Road, in which 42-year-old Lalita Hattarki of Somapur died. Initial investigation suggested it was a road accident. However, the incident was captured on the dashcam of a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus.Upon reviewing the footage, police suspected that the crash was a deliberate one. Five special teams were formed to investigate the case.The main accused is the victim's husband, Udaykumar Hattarki of Narendra village. His associates—Nagappa Madivalappa Padekar of Garag, Abhishek Varagannavar of Nichchanaki, and Nagaraj Madivalappa Uppin of Dodawad—were arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Another accused is still absconding. Police seized a black Thar used in the crime, four mobile phones, and Rs 20,000 in cash.Crime unfoldedLalita of Somapur was married to Udaykumar Hattarki of Narendra in 2000. A few years ago, differences arose between them, and Lalita began to live at her parental home. A divorce case was also pending in court. Recently, a Lok Adalat ordered Udaykumar to provide 1.5 acres to Lalita as maintenance. Unable to accept this, he allegedly plotted her murder and paid Rs 40 lakh to kill her.As per the plan, on Feb 26, Udaykumar called Lalita to Savadatti Road on the pretext of discussing the matter. With the help of his associates, he allegedly rammed her using a black vehicle without a number plate, making it appear like an accident. Despite the missing number plate, police identified the vehicle and the accused through CCTV footage.SP Gunjan Arya praised the efforts of the rural police in solving the case.