In a heartbreaking incident on Wednesday night, Shambulinga Shahapurmath (37) was arrested for the murder of his seven-month-old daughter, Vaishanavi, in Yadwad village, Dharwad district. The infant succumbed to her injuries on Thursday at KIMS Hospital in Hubballi.
Shambulinga reportedly confessed to the police that he threw Vaishanavi against a wall due to his frustration with her constant crying. The accused, a daily wage laborer, had a history of frequent quarrels with his wife, including instances of physical abuse. The couple already had a son, and Vaishanavi was their second child.
The villagers had previously intervened, organizing a panchayat to address the family’s issues, but the problems persisted. Shambulinga, known to be an alcoholic, had even threatened harm to the infant in the past.
The tragic event unfolded when Shambulinga, after going to bed, was awakened by Vaishanavi’s cries around 10:30 pm. In a fit of rage, he verbally abused and violently banged the infant against the wall. Neighbors rushed to the scene, apprehended Shambulinga, and alerted the police.
A police team from Garag arrived promptly, and the accused was taken into custody. Vaishanavi, suffering from blood clotting in the brain, was rushed to KIMS Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries around 12:30 pm on Thursday.
Initially booked for attempted murder (IPC 307) on Wednesday night, the charges were upgraded to murder (IPC 302) on Thursday afternoon following the infant’s tragic demise. The funeral took place in Yadwad village on Thursday evening, marking a somber end to a devastating incident.
