The brutal murder of 22-year-old Swati from the Haveri district, which was reported on March 14, stands as a horrifying reminder of the extreme violence and injustice that persist in our society. Swati’s death, which investigators have revealed to be a deliberate crime carried out by individuals she knew, underscores the often hidden shadows of domestic betrayal and the horrifying consequences that can arise from interpersonal conflicts.
The incident took place on March 6 when an unidentified female body was found near Pattepura in the Ranebennur taluk of Haveri district. Initially treated as an anonymous case by the local police, the grim discovery quickly unravelled into a complex narrative of love, betrayal, and, ultimately, murder. An autopsy revealed that Swati was not merely a victim of circumstances but had been murdered and her body disposed of in the Tungabhadra River, a crime that was premeditated and executed with chilling cruelty by individuals, including one identified as Nayaz.
The investigation into this heinous crime has confirmed that Nayaz, along with two accomplices, Vinay and Durgachari, killed Swathi. According to police, Nayaz had a plan to kill Swathi as she opposed marriage with another girl who insisted on marrying her. To get away from the pressure, he took a car on March 3, strangulated her along with two friends, and dumped the body in the Tungabhadra River.
Generally, whenever an unidentified body is found, the police department at least looks into the missing complaints registered in all the police stations of that district and informs them. Especially if it is a woman, a young woman, or a minor, the police are more careful in this work. However, in this case, police cremated her body, thinking it was an unknown body. The police, who cremated the young woman without giving any information even though the post-mortem examination confirmed that she was murdered, are facing a dilemma.
22-year-old Swati, from Masuru village in Rattihalli taluk of Haveri district, went missing on March 3. Her family searched for her for three days and filed a missing complaint on the 7th. Her body was found near the Tungabhadra river in Pattepur village in Ranebennur taluk of Haveri district. The young woman’s body was found on March 6.
The Halageri police, who had earlier declared the body of an unidentified young woman, conducted a post-mortem examination and buried Swathi’s body as per the law in the absence of any heirs. At this stage, they have not even received information about the missing complaints registered in the district. The post-mortem examination confirmed that Swathi was murdered. Following this, the Halageri police have intensified the investigation.
Swathi went missing on March 3. Swathi’s parents had filed a missing complaint in this regard. A missing complaint was registered at the Hirekerur police station. Swathi’s body was found near Kampuppur in Ranebennur taluk on March 6. Swathi worked as a nurse at a hospital in Ranebennur. It is said that Swathi’s father had passed away, and she lived with her mother. The police informed the parents that Swathi had been murdered and showed them a picture of the body. The mother identified her as her daughter in the photo.
MP Bommai alleges an active network of love jihad
The incidents of cheating and murder are condemnable; Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai has alleged that the reason for the increase in such cases is the active love jihad network in the name of love in the state and the lack of fear of the police. He posted on X regarding this, lamenting that since the Congress government came to power in the state, girls have not been protected, especially the heinous acts of cheating and murdering young women in the name of love have increased, and it is very shocking.
ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಅಧಿಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದಾಗಿನಿಂದಲೂ ಹೆಣ್ಣುಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ರಕ್ಷಣೆ ಇಲ್ಲದಂತಾಗಿದ್ದು, ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ಪ್ರೀತಿ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಯುವತಿಯರನ್ನು ವಂಚಿಸಿ ಹತ್ಯೆ ಮಾಡುವ ಹೇಯ ಕೃತ್ಯಗಳು ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿರುವುದು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಆಘಾತಕಾರಿ.
ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಲೇಜು ಯುವತಿ ನೇಹಾ ಹಿರೇಮಠ ಅವಳ ಬರ್ಬರ ಕೊಲೆಯ ನೋವು ಮಾಸುವ ಮುನ್ನ ಈಗ…
— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) March 14, 2025
Even after a week has passed since the incident, it seems that a large-scale exercise has been carried out to protect the main accused, Nayaz, who has been arrested. He said that there is information that he murdered Swathi because he had played the role of loving her, rejected her as a person of another religion, and questioned her decision to marry a young woman of a different religion. He demanded that the state government should provide appropriate compensation to the deceased family and provide justice in this incident, which is very painful for the girl’s family, relatives and society.
Bommai mentioned, “The network of love jihad is actively operating in our state under the guise of romance, and the absence of fear of law among criminals is a significant factor contributing to the rise in such cases. Only through decisive action by police to apprehend criminals and curb the powers behind such heinous acts can we tackle this issue effectively.” He further emphasised the need for serious engagement from authorities, stating that neglecting such crimes mere days after they occur is utterly condemnable.
Pramod Muthalik demands severe action
The murder of a young woman named Swathi from Masur is a case of love jihad. Sri Rama Sena chief Pramod Muthalik emphasised severe punishment for all the three accused. He demanded Rs 25 lakh compensation for the Swathis family.
There is a love jihad motive behind Swathi’s murder. He demanded a thorough investigation into this. Love jihad cases are increasing in the district. The villagers and family know that Swathi is in love with Nayaz. He said that a fight between the two ended in murder as Nayaz was preparing for another marriage.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Haveri SP Anshukumar on Friday, he said that a more thorough investigation is being conducted. He said the two accused absconded in another district and were held on Friday by police teams.
In the aftermath of Swati’s murder, the call for justice has resonated strongly across communities. Local leaders and organisations, including members of the BJP, Sangh Parivar, and Sri Ram Sena, have demanded a swift and thorough investigation.
The anguish and suffering inflicted upon Swati’s family and the broader societal implications of this crime cannot be overlooked. The state government is urged to provide organisation and reassurance to family members and ensure justice prevails in this unfortunate case. Each murder of a woman in our society is not just a loss of life; it is an indictment of our collective conscience and calls for a strong, united response against all forms of violence and discrimination based on gender.
