Yadgir, 24 July 2026

The Principal District and Sessions Court at Yadgir in Karnataka has sentenced 17 convicts to life imprisonment, one convict to seven years' imprisonment, and two convicts to six months' imprisonment after finding them guilty of murdering a Dalit man during a dispute over the erection of banners.

The deceased has been identified as Devendrappa Bhimappa Dalapati of Kanyakolur village in Shahapur taluk.

The following persons have been sentenced to life imprisonment: Basalingappa Chatnalli, Sabanna Dali, Rayappa Banatihal, Malappa Benalli, Devendrappa Chatnalli, Sharanappa Dali, Shivappa Dali, Doddarayappa Rakangera, Sannarayappa Rakangera, Chowdappa Madnal, Shivappa Balloli, Shekhappa Poojari, Babu Ganiger, Basappa Meli, Sabanna Kollur, Dharmanna Vaggar, and Ambanna Bhimaraya.

Devappa Avadi has been sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, while Hayyalappa Nashi and Ambanna Talwar have each been sentenced to six months' imprisonment.

The court also ordered the recovery of a fine of Rs 4.25 lakh from the 20 convicted persons.

The incident dates back to 15 and 16 January, 2014, when a dispute arose during the annual Chowdeshwari Devi fair in the village over the installation of cut-outs and banners displaying photographs of Scheduled Caste leaders and upper-caste leaders.

The accused allegedly abused Devendrappa with caste-based insults, chased him, and fatally attacked him with an axe and stones.