Belagavi man stabs mother-in-law over video call to see newborn, arrested
Synopsis
A Belagavi man allegedly stabbed his 45-year-old mother-in-law after she asked him to limit video calls to see his newborn, then posted a defiant WhatsApp status threatening further harm — underscoring a disturbing pattern of son-in-law violence against women in Karnataka.
Key Takeaways
Aravind Gavali allegedly stabbed his 45-year-old mother-in-law Mahadevi in Aladakatti village , Belagavi , on 5 May 2025 .
The trigger was reportedly Mahadevi asking him to limit video calls to see his two-month-old newborn .
Mahadevi is in the ICU at BIMS Hospital, Belagavi , with serious injuries.
Aravind posted a threatening WhatsApp status after the assault before being traced and arrested by Muragod police .
He has been remanded to judicial custody ; investigations are ongoing.
This is at least the third high-profile son-in-law violence case in Karnataka since January 2025 .
A man in Belagavi district, Karnataka, allegedly stabbed his mother-in-law after she declined to show him his infant during a video call, police said on Tuesday, 5 May 2025. The victim, 45-year-old Mahadevi, sustained serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment in the ICU at Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) Hospital. The accused, Aravind Gavali, has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to police, Aravind Gavali's wife had delivered a baby two months ago and was staying at her parental home in Aladakatti village near Savadatti in Belagavi district. Aravind had allegedly been subjecting her to mental harassment and frequently demanded video calls to see the newborn.
On the day of the incident, Mahadevi reportedly advised him to limit such calls, explaining that it was not possible to remain on the phone throughout the day. This allegedly enraged Aravind, who abused her over the phone. When she warned him not to visit the house, he allegedly forced his way into the residence, attacked her with a knife, and fled the scene.
Accused Posts Threatening WhatsApp Status
After the assault, Aravind reportedly posted a WhatsApp status message reading:
Point of View
Often in households where the wife has returned to her parental home. Law enforcement's swift arrest is commendable, but the deeper question — why these conflicts are ending in stabbings rather than mediation — demands a policy response beyond policing.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Belagavi stabbing incident on 5 May 2025?
A man named Aravind Gavali allegedly stabbed his 45-year-old mother-in-law Mahadevi in Aladakatti village near Savadatti, Belagavi, after she asked him to limit video calls to see his newborn child. Mahadevi is currently in the ICU at BIMS Hospital, Belagavi, with serious injuries.
Why did Aravind Gavali allegedly attack his mother-in-law?
According to police, Mahadevi advised Aravind to reduce the frequency of video calls to see his two-month-old infant, as his wife was staying at her parental home. This reportedly enraged him, leading to a verbal altercation and then a knife attack.
Has the accused been arrested?
Yes, Muragod police traced and arrested Aravind Gavali after the assault. He has been remanded to judicial custody and investigations are underway.
What did the accused post on WhatsApp after the attack?
After fleeing the scene, Aravind reportedly posted a WhatsApp status message stating, 'Today jail, tomorrow bail… I won't spare you,' which police have noted as part of the investigation.
Is this an isolated case or part of a broader pattern in Karnataka?
This is at least the third notable case of a son-in-law attacking a mother-in-law in Karnataka in recent months. In January 2025, Renuka Padmuki was stabbed to death in Belagavi district by her son-in-law Shubham Datta Birje. In August 2025, the Lakshmi Devi murder case in Tumakuru involved a dentist son-in-law who murdered and dismembered his mother-in-law.
