Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Belthangady: In a quick operation, the district police have arrested the accused in the double murder case of an elderly couple at Kakkinje here.

The arrested is identified as Ravi alias Raju (26), a native of Gadag. He is married and has a daughter. He is a habitual offender 15 cases stand registered against him at various police stations in Hubballi and Gadag. Arrest warrants have already been issued against him in eight cases. 

On January 10 night, an elderly couple KV Varkhi (80) and Elikutty (72) were killed.

Dakshina Kannada SP Sharanappa informed media that the motive behind the double murder was to execute robbery in the house.

Ravi had come to DK just about a month ago and was employed here as a labourer. It is when he used to visit food joints in Kakkinje for breakfast and lunch that his eyes fell on the couple and their house.

Sharanappa said that on the fateful night, Ravi went to the house and asked for water. He then asked the couple to guide him the way to a place. As Varghese went out of the house to show him the way, Ravi allegedly assaulted Varghese and then strangulated him. He then went inside the house and killed Elikutty and fled away with property including gold. Ravi is the only accused in the case.

The SP said that the dog squad and fingerprints recovered helped in nabbing the accused. Four police teams, one led by an ASP and three sub-teams were formed to probe the case.

All the cops involved in the investigation were felicitated with a certificate. Cash prize will also be given to them, Sharanappa said. Further probe in the case is on.