Mahamad Ali alias Makkabula Meersab Kolakar, 57 was arrested after he raped, murdered and robbed a Hindu tribal woman in the Dharwad district of Karnataka. The victim was identified as Lakshmi Kallimani and she was just 27 years old. 

Lakshmi used to raise cows and belonged to the Vittal community. Her body was discovered near a few shrubs at around 5.30 in the evening on Monday. The gruesome incident happened at Yaraguppi village near Kundagol.

Dharwad SP Krishna Kant said that Kundagol police inspector M N Deshanur and other personnel arrested the accused from Kolar. Ali was arrested within 24 hours of committing the crime.

An initial medical report confirmed sexual assault. Ali was charged with provisions related to rape and murder and was remanded to judicial custody.  Police confiscated some gold from the accused and it is suspected that they are Lakshmi’s ornaments. Further details are awaited. 

Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha condemned the incident and termed it ‘rape jihad’. Vittal community leaders met Karnataka CM Basavaraj S Bommai and demanded strict legal action against the accused.