A 72-year-old man who was on the run for over two decades after murdering his third wife in 2002 has been arrested in Karnataka’s Koppal district.
The accused has been identified as Hanumantappa. He had been on the run since he allegedly killed his wife, Renukamma and disposed of her body by stuffing it into a gunny bag and leaving it on a bus.
The police received a tip-off just days ago indicating the accused had returned to his native village, Haladhal in Raichur’s Manvi taluk, where they subsequently apprehended him.
The heinous crime sent shockwaves through the region, after which a case was registered at the Gangavati Town Police Station.
Hanumantha, 72, son of Husenappa, was 49 when the crime occurred. He worked as a Junior Health Assistant at the Badarli Primary Health Centre and resides in Haladhal village, Manvi taluk, Raichur district.
Hanumantappa managed to evade arrest despite an extensive search and investigations. For 23 years, he remained untraceable, leaving behind no clear trail.
According to the preliminary investigations, Hanumantappa led a quiet life under the radar in different parts of the state before returning to his hometown. Police are now probing whether he had any local support in evading arrest all these years.
Further investigation is underway, and the accused is expected to be produced before the court soon.