A 19-year-old auto driver was murdered over a minor dispute at Devala Ganagapur, a popular pilgrimage site in Afzalpur taluk in Kalaburagi district, on Friday.

The incident occurred near the Avadhoota Ashram on Sangam Road in the temple town in the early morning. The victim has been identified as Dattu.

The police sources said the assailants – identified as Prajwal M. Hosmani and Preetam Hosamani – both residents of the same village, attacked Dattu with lethal weapons.

The victim was rushed to a private hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. In a statement recorded before his death, Dattu said that the duo launched the violent attack simply because he had “stared” at the spot where they were sitting.

A case has been registered at the Deval Ganagapur Police Station. The police have launched a probe to nab the accused.

Published - July 24, 2026 08:17 pm IST