Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Apr 28: In a significant judgment, the II Additional District and Sessions Court, Udupi, has sentenced the accused in the 2022 Hiriyadka double murder case to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000.
According to the complaint filed by Devi (27), a resident of Madaga in Athradi village, the incident involved the brutal killing of her elder sister Cheluvi and Cheluvi’s daughter Priya.
Cheluvi had been married to Subrahmanya of Manchi about 15 years ago. While working at an oil factory in Manipal, she became acquainted with a man named Rasheed. Following marital discord, Cheluvi left her husband and moved to Mumbai with Rasheed. After living there for two years, the couple relocated to Karkala and had two children, Preetham and Priya. Later, due to disputes, Cheluvi returned to her parental home in Athradi with her children.
On May 8, 2022, Priya visited the complainant’s house and returned home in the evening. The following morning, May 9, Devi’s mother informed her that Cheluvi was not responding to calls. When Devi sent her son to check, he found both Cheluvi and Priya unresponsive inside the house.
Devi and a relative reached the house around 10 am and found the door open. Upon entering, they discovered both victims lying in the hall. Priya had marks on her neck, while Cheluvi had visible injuries and blood near her nose and mouth. A nurse from a nearby health centre confirmed their deaths.
Investigations suggested that the victims were strangled to death between the evening of May 8 and the morning of May 9, 2022. A case was subsequently registered at the Hiriyadka police station.
The investigation was led by then Brahmavar circle inspector Ananthapadmanabha, who arrested the accused Harish R, alias Ganesh (30), a resident of Kurubara Beedi in Bhadravathi taluk, Shivamogga district. A chargesheet was filed following the arrest.
After a detailed trial, the II Additional District and Sessions Court, Udupi, convicted the accused on March 26, 2026, sentencing him to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000.