Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, March 16: The Karnataka Police have made two more arrests in the murder case of Swati Ramesh Byadgi, a young nurse from Masur village in Haveri district. The arrests, made on Saturday, bring the total number of individuals apprehended in connection with the crime to three, after the main accused, Nayaz, was arrested on Friday.
Swati, who worked as a nurse in Ranebennur town, went missing on March 3. Her body was discovered in the Tungabhadra river on March 6. Initial investigations revealed that she had been strangled to death before being dumped into the river.
The police have identified the two newly arrested suspects as Vinay and Durgachari, both close friends of Nayaz. According to the police, the three men conspired to murder Swati after Nayaz ended their relationship. Nayaz had reportedly broken up with Swati after his family arranged his marriage to another woman from the Muslim community. Swati, who was evidently upset by the development, allegedly threatened to expose their relationship if Nayaz went through with the marriage.
Fearing trouble from Swati's threats, Nayaz decided to kill her. He planned the murder with Vinay and Durgachari, who were reportedly involved in the crime. On the pretext of having a conversation with her, Nayaz lured Swati to Swarna Park in Ranebennur town. From there, the trio drove her to an abandoned school building in Rattihalli, where they strangled her using a saffron-coloured towel. Afterward, they placed her body in the trunk of a car and disposed of it in the Tungabhadra river.
The case has generated significant attention, with political leaders and activists alleging a connection to the controversial issue of "love jihad". Former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai condemned the murder, suggesting that it may be part of a larger pattern of interfaith relationships leading to violence. On social media, Bommai criticised the state government's handling of such incidents, stating that the lack of fear among criminals has led to a rise in cases of young women being murdered under the guise of love.
Bommai's remarks echoed the sentiments of Hindu activists, who have launched a signature campaign urging the authorities to take stringent action against Nayaz. The BJP has strongly condemned the crime, and former Minister B.C. Patil visited Swati’s family in Masur village to express condolences and gather details. Patil also called for strict punishment for all those involved in the crime.
Swati’s relationship with Nayaz, who she met during a traditional bull-taming event in Haveri, was known to her family. However, when they were informed that Nayaz had broken up with Swati and planned to marry someone from his own community, the family was initially unaware of the tragic turn the situation would take. Following her disappearance, Swati’s family lodged a missing persons report with the Hirekerur police. It was only after the body was found and identified that the connection to Nayaz was established.
The discovery of Swati’s body in the river was initially handled as a case of an unidentified death, with the body being buried by local authorities, who had assumed it to be that of an orphan. However, a post-mortem revealed that Swati had been murdered, and her identity was later confirmed.
The case has sparked a heated debate across Karnataka, with critics of the government accusing it of not doing enough to prevent such incidents. In a post on social media, Bommai stated, "It is quite shocking that there have been rising incidents where young women are deceived and murdered in the name of love. The safety of women has deteriorated since the Congress government came to power."
The BJP leader also alleged that the "love jihad" network was active in the state and that criminals felt emboldened by the lack of accountability. "The police must act without succumbing to any pressure and ensure that stringent action is taken against all those involved, including those who support such acts," he added.
As the investigation continues, the authorities are under increasing pressure to bring justice to Swati’s family and ensure that those responsible for her death face the full extent of the law. Swati’s mother, who has been left devastated by her daughter’s tragic death, is awaiting justice, with hopes that the legal proceedings will bring closure to the family.