Karnataka Shop Owner Dies After Dispute Over Cigarette Payment

In Belagavi district, Karnataka, 48-year-old shop owner Yallappa Durgappa Naik died after being assaulted by four intoxicated youths following a dispute over payment for cigarettes and water bottles. The incident occurred late Tuesday night as the men, returning from a fair, allegedly refused to pay. Police arrested the accused—Prajjwal Patil, Nikhil Chougale, Vivek Chougale, and Shridhar Patil—and registered a case. Investigations are ongoing to clarify the events and individual roles.