In a swift breakthrough, Bidar police cracked the murder case of gram panchayat member and real estate businessman Vaijinath Dattatreya (49), who was killed near Chikkapete-Aliabad Ring Road on the city outskirts. The crime, which occurred on Friday afternoon, was solved within seven hours. Four individuals were arrested in connection with the murder from Shahapur forest area.

Two of the accused, Umesh and John, are from Navadgeri village, while the other two are residents of Honnikeri. However, the key conspirator behind the murder is still at large. A case has been registered under Sections 103(1), 61(2)(a), and 3(5) of the IPC at New City Police Station.

Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti, addressing the media on Saturday, stated that Vaijinath had gone to S K Dhaba for lunch when he was attacked with lethal weapons. The suspects fled on a bike, but CCTV footage helped identify them. They were tracked down and arrested along with two accomplices.

Vaijinath, known for his activism in supporting victims of POCSO and SC/ST atrocity cases in Honnikeri, had offered legal aid in several cases. The arrested accused confessed to killing him out of revenge for this support.

The investigation team, led by DySPs Shivanagowda Patil and S N Sanadi, worked tirelessly, with support from multiple police officers and constables. SP Gunti also revealed that 189 cases related to gambling, drug trade, and illegal activities were registered in March, resulting in 431 arrests and ₹35 lakh in cash seizures.