BELAGAVI: A 25-year-old man from Khanapur, Belagavi was allegedly stabbed to death by his roommate in Nepal, leaving his family and the local community in mourning. The accused fled the scene after the attack, and Nepal police have launched a manhunt.
The deceased has been identified as Sahil Riyaz Ahmed Momin (25), a resident of Muslim Ningapur Galli in Khanapur. The accused, identified as Saddam Hussain, is reportedly a native of Uttar Pradesh. A murder case has been registered against him by the Nepal police.
According to the police, Sahil had previously worked in Dubai and later in Thailand. About 25 days ago, he travelled to Damak, Nepal, to work at a hotel, where he shared accommodation with Saddam Hussain. A day before the incident, Sahil had invited a friend from Belagavi to join him at the same hotel for work, and the friend stayed with them in the same room.
Later that night, an argument reportedly broke out between Sahil and Saddam, but the dispute was resolved after a friend intervened. However, in the early hours of Friday, at around 5 am, Saddam allegedly attacked Sahil with a knife while he was asleep, stabbing him in the abdomen before fleeing the scene. Hearing Sahil’s cries for help, the friend attempted to chase the accused but was unsuccessful.
Sahil was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The family approached Irfan Talikoti, Taluka President of Anjuman-e-Islam and a social activist, seeking assistance in bringing Sahil’s body back to India. Talikoti met senior police officials in Belagavi and sought their help in coordinating with Nepal police to expedite the legal formalities.
He also contacted officials in Nepal and closely followed up on the case. On Saturday, Sahil’s father, brother and other relatives left for Nepal to complete the formalities and receive the body. According to Talikoti, the mortal remains are expected to be flown to Hubballi, Goa or Belagavi, depending on flight availability, before being taken to Khanapur. The body is expected to reach its hometown on Monday.
Meanwhile, police suspect that the accused has fled towards Uttar Pradesh. Belagavi district police have shared the accused’s photograph and other relevant details with the Uttar Pradesh Police to assist in tracing and apprehending him. The incident has sent shockwaves across Khanapur. Family and friends described Sahil as a calm and soft-spoken young man, and his untimely death has been widely mourned in the town.
