Yellapur: In a significant development in the mysterious car fire incident reported last Wednesday near Talekumbri Cross in Arabail Ghat—where a car that had fallen into a gorge was completely gutted along with a person inside—police have reportedly obtained crucial leads.

According to sources, Jagannath Dhapale from Belagavi had lodged a complaint at the Yellapur Police Station, stating that the charred body found inside the vehicle could either be his son Nitesh or an unidentified person, as the victim had been burnt beyond recognition due to the intensity of the fire.

However, in a new twist to the case, Dhapale revisited the police station on Friday and submitted a fresh statement, raising serious suspicions of foul play.

In his revised complaint, Dhapale has alleged that one Nayeem, along with his associates, may have murdered his son Nitesh. He suspects that the accused transported the body in the car, pushed the vehicle into the gorge near Talekumbri Cross, and set it ablaze to destroy evidence. It is further stated that the charred body was found on the rear seat of the car.

Dhapale further stated that he received information from his daughter-in-law, Gangamma, a resident of Davanagere, who confirmed that her husband Nitesh had made a WhatsApp call to her on April 7 (Tuesday), informing her that he was travelling to Goa with Nayeem.

Based on this information, Dhapale has expressed strong suspicion that Nayeem and his associates took his son to Goa under false pretences, murdered him, and later attempted to cover up the crime by burning the car.

He has urged the police to identify and take action against those responsible.

Police have intensified their investigation into the case.