Father Arrested for Murder of 6-Year-Old Son in Shocking Karad Case

A deeply disturbing incident has emerged from Karad, where a father allegedly murdered his six-year-old son in a crime that has shocked the nation and raised serious concerns about the destructive impact of suspicion and mental instability within families.

The victim, identified as Siddharth Mallikarjun Arekari, was reported missing before his body was discovered on March 18 along the banks of the Krishna River near Vadoli Bhikeshwar in Karad taluk. The body was initially found under suspicious circumstances, and authorities were unable to establish the child’s identity in the early stages of the investigation, complicating efforts to trace the crime.

Despite the lack of immediate leads, police pursued multiple lines of inquiry, employing technical surveillance and coordinated investigative methods. The case initially appeared to be a blind murder, posing a significant challenge to investigators.

As the probe progressed, the victim was identified as a resident of Nagthane village in Vijayapura district. Given the cross-border nature of the case, law enforcement agencies from Maharashtra and Karnataka launched a joint operation to uncover the truth.

In a shocking turn, investigators determined that the child’s father, Mallikarjun Arekari, was the primary आरोपी. According to police findings, on March 16, he misled his wife by claiming he was taking the child for school admission. Instead, he allegedly travelled from Vijayapura to Umbraj in Karad taluk and then to a secluded stretch near Shivade village along the Krishna River.

Authorities allege that he then threw his son into the river, resulting in the child’s death. In a chilling detail, police said the accused had dressed the child in new clothes before committing the crime and subsequently returned home, behaving as though nothing had occurred. He reportedly misled family members and neighbours, concealing the crime for nearly 20 days.

Investigators believe the motive behind the हत्या was rooted in deep-seated suspicion. The accused reportedly harboured doubts about the child’s paternity, allegedly influenced by remarks from acquaintances. Over time, this suspicion extended to his wife, Bhagyashree, leading to prolonged domestic tension spanning over a year and a half. Ultimately, these suspicions culminated in the tragic killing of the child.

The case took a decisive turn on April 1, which coincided with the child’s birthday, when his mother persistently sought information about his whereabouts. Unsatisfied with the accused’s evasive responses, she filed a missing person complaint, prompting intensified investigation by Karnataka police.

Under sustained interrogation, the accused eventually confessed to the crime. He was subsequently arrested by Vijayapura Rural Police and taken to the crime scene, where officials reconstructed the sequence of events.

This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of how unchecked suspicion and psychological distress can lead to irreversible consequences, not only devastating families but also deeply impacting society at large.