Missing Hubballi doctor murdered by kin, suspect police

Orthopaedician Dr Babu B Hundekar (50), who was missing for the last two days, is now believed to have been murdered by his relative over financial issues.

Police sources told DH that Hundekar, a member of the board of directors of Sushruta Multi-specialty Hospital & Research Centre, is believed to have been murdered by his brother-in-law Naveen Mullikgoudar, a real estate businessman, and three of his friends at the victim's house on March 12 afternoon. His body was disposed of at an isolated location on the outskirts of Ingalagi village on Gadag Road the same night.

The police are not sure if the half-burnt body they seized from Ingalagi on March 14 is that of Hundekar's, as the body had been charred beyond recognition. Samples have been sent for DNA analysis to establish the identity, Hubballi-Dharwad police commissioner M N Nagaraj said.

Hundekar had lent Rs 60 lakh to Naveen a few years ago. Family sources said the two fought frequently over the repayment of the money. This might have irked Naveen, who along with three others, killed Hundekar, said police officials.

What has further complicated the case is the WhatsApp message that Hunderkar is said to have sent to his friends stating that he would be out of station for two days. On March 12, his father Basappa Hundekar had filed a kidnap complaint with Vidyanagar police and named Naveen as the suspect.