Udupi – A 40-year-old man was brutally hacked to death inside his home in Subramanya Nagar, Puttur village, on August 12, allegedly by three friends angered over a viral audio recording he had circulated.
The victim, identified as painter Vinay Devadiga, was attacked with a machete and knife in his bedroom. The accused — Ajith (28) and Akshendra (34) from Gandhinagar, Kokkarnje, Brahmavar, and Pradeep Acharya from Benegal, Kokkarnje — later surrendered to the Udupi Town Police. They are currently under interrogation.
According to preliminary findings, the incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. Vinay had returned home at about 6:00 p.m. after running personal errands in Udupi. Later that night, the three accused allegedly entered his house and began searching for him.
Vinay, awakened by the intrusion, confronted the group in his bedroom. They reportedly attempted to grab his mobile phone. Police state that Ajith held him down while Akshendra and Pradeep struck him on the head with sharp weapons, causing fatal injuries. The assailants fled on a scooter soon after.
Investigators believe the killing was motivated by Vinay’s alleged role in forwarding an audio clip that went viral. The clip is said to contain verbal abuse aimed at accused Akshendra by a man named Jeevan. This act of sharing is thought to have provoked the violent retaliation.
A murder case has been registered at Udupi Town Police Station, and further investigation is underway.