H.D. Kote: A father and his son, who were returning after collecting honey from the beehives on trees at Kusegowdana Hundi in H.D. Kote were electrocuted after coming in contact with an electrical fence on Friday.

The land owner had drawn power illegally for the fence to protect his crops from wild animals and the farmer had thrown the bodies into the river to hide the incident.

The deceased father and son have been identified as Maada (45) and his son Praveen (19), residents of Aanagatti Tribal Hamlet in H.D. Kote taluk. The farmer, who had allegedly drawn power to his fence illegally, has been identified as Marigowda.

Marigowda, who had grown Tapioca in his field, had erected a fence to prevent wild boars and other animals from straying into the field besides drawing power to the fence illegally.

Maada, Praveen and one Mariyappa after collecting honey were returning to their hamlet. As they were crossing the field, Maada and Praveen came in contact with the electric fence and died on the spot. Mariyappa, who saw the incident, ran to the hamlet, but informed the elders on Saturday.

Together, they went to the field of Marigowda to retrieve the bodies which were stuck to the fence, but were shocked as they could not find the bodies and even Marigowda told them that no such incident had taken place at his field and sent the hamlet elders away, it is learnt.

Yesterday morning, some villagers, who saw a huge sack floating in Kabini River near Tumbasoge village, pulled the sack to the banks and on opening it, they found the bodies of Maada and Praveen and immediately informed the Police.

H.D. Kote Police, who rushed to the spot, conducted mahazar and shifted the bodied to H.D. Kote General Hospital for post-mortem besides registering a case. The Police, who had examined the body, suspected that both of them may have been electrocuted, which had resulted in their deaths.

Meanwhile, the Police, who took Marigowda into custody, quizzed him, during which Marigowda is said to have confessed of throwing the bodies into the river fearing Police action following which the Police arrested him.

Social Welfare Officers Chandrappa and Ramesh, visited the hamlet of the deceased, consoled the family and provided financial help on behalf of the government.

H.D. Kote Circle Inspector Harish, Sub-Inspector Ashok and staff, who visited the spot, have registered a case and are investigating.