A shocking crime unfolded in Kolhapur’s Rukadi Phata on Thursday as a 44-year-old man brutally murdered his girlfriend in a lodge, striking her repeatedly with a hammer following a heated financial argument.

The accused, Adamgaus Pathan, had previously faced trial for allegedly murdering his wife in 2018 but was acquitted. This time, his victim was 38-year-old Suman Suresh Sargar, whom he had checked into the lodge with.

According to Hatkanangle police, Pathan tried to stage the murder as a suicide. Officers discovered him next to a bottle of poison and a suicide note—allegedly forged in Sargar’s name—intended to mislead investigators. However, during questioning, Pathan admitted to killing her over a money-related dispute.

Lodge staff alerted police after hearing disturbances from the room. Officers responded swiftly, detaining Pathan and recovering the murder weapon.

He now faces charges under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including murder. Further investigation is ongoing to establish the full sequence of events and examine any past patterns of violence.