In a ghastly incident, the son of a former MLA from Belagavi district was found charred to death in a burnt car near Ramapur village in Dharwad taluk on Tuesday (March 24) afternoon.
The incident came to light after locals noticed a car burning in the forest area adjacent to a railway track near the village and immediately alerted the police, who rushed to the spot and found the body.
The deceased has been identified as Raju Bolashetti, 53, a resident of Udakeri village in Bailhongal taluk of Belagavi. He is the son of Baburao Bolashetti, former Bailhongal MLA.
Since the incident occurred in a deserted area, the police suspect that the deceased might have been brought to the place and then killed. Torching the car could have been an attempt to destroy the evidence, sources said.
The Dharwad Rural Station police have registered a case. A dog squad and Forensic Science Laboratory team were also roped into the investigation.
Published – March 24, 2026 07:00 pm IST
