A man was brutally murdered in the early hours of Thursday after being stabbed multiple times near the gate of Bhatrahalli Anjaneya Temple, police reported.
The victim, identified as 40-year-old Ramali from Banagakeri, left behind his wife and three children. Reports suggest he was related to a municipal council member.
According to police sources, the incident occurred between 2:30 AM and 3 AM, with an alleged financial dispute suspected to have led to the attack. The crime took place on the bypass road connecting the city to Hampi.
Morning joggers and walkers discovered the body, by which time the police had already reached the scene. As daylight broke, the body was shifted to the district hospital morgue, while forensic teams, including fingerprint experts, conducted examinations at the site.
Police sources noted that while Hospet has witnessed deaths due to accidents and suicides, murders have been infrequent in recent years. However, two years ago, a lawyer was fatally attacked within the court premises over a property dispute, and five years ago, another murder occurred near a temple on Bellary Road.
Investigations into the latest incident are ongoing.