A young woman was found dead in the Tungabhadra River in Karnataka’s Haveri district on March 6, 2025. The police later confirmed this tragic incident as a murder case. The post-mortem examination revealed that the victim had been strangled, prompting authorities to initiate the Swathi Murder Investigation.
Days later, the woman was identified as 22-year-old Swathi, daughter of Ramesh Byadagi from Masuru, Rattihalli taluk in Haveri. Her family had reported her missing at Hirekerur Police Station on March 7 after she failed to return home.
Key Developments in the Swathi Murder Investigation
On March 13, police arrested 28-year-old Nayaz from Hirekerur town. During interrogation, Nayaz confessed to the murder and revealed that he had two accomplices, Durga Chari Badiger and Vinayak Pujar. Together, they lured Swathi to Suvarna Park in Ranebennur city on March 3. They then took her to an abandoned school in Rattihalli, where they strangled her using a towel. Around 11 PM, they transported her body in Vinayak’s car and dumped it in the Tungabhadra River.
Swathi’s mother, devastated by the loss, demanded justice for her daughter. “She said she would go out and return, but she never did. We searched everywhere before filing a missing complaint on March 3. I have no idea who did this. I only want justice for my daughter. Whoever it is, friend or anyone else, they must be punished. This should not happen to any other girl,” she expressed.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
Haveri Superintendent of Police Anshu Kumar confirmed the investigation’s progress, stating, “On March 6, Halgeri police discovered an unidentified body in the Tungabhadra River. The post-mortem confirmed it as a case of murder. By March 11, we identified the victim as Swathi Rakesh Byadagi. Three suspects—Nayaz, Vinayak, and Durga Chari—were identified through technical analysis. These three took Swathi near Ranebennur on March 3, murdered her, and disposed of her body in the river. Nayaz has been arrested, while the other two remain absconding. Two teams have been deployed to trace them.”
Police continue their investigation to uncover the motive behind the crime. Officials confirmed that all four individuals knew each other and had ongoing disputes. This case has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the need for justice and safety for women in Karnataka.
For more updates on this case, visit The Hans Bharat.
