Karnataka: An inter-religious couple, married for 13 years, were murdered in broad daylight in Gadag, Karnataka on Wednesday.

Ashraf Ali Dodmani, 45, and Somavva alias Aminabi, 38, were found hacked to death at Basapur near Mulagund in Gadag district. The couple had eloped 13 years ago to get married.

Somavva and Ashraf were attacked with an iron rod and currently, her brother Devappa Hotte has surrendered to the police after committing the alleged murder.

However, the cops have told that it was not an incident of honour killing, but it has not been proved yet.

Ashraf and Somavva eloped, got married and settled down in Mangaluru for some years. Then the couple returned to Mulagund, but Ashraf continued working in Mangaluru. He would visit his wife in Mulagund frequently.

On the fatal day, it is said that Ashraf and Somavva were visiting the latter's family in Basapur during Muharram festival. Somavva is said to have had a nasty fight with her brother, who apparently told her not to set foot into that house again.

After the fight, Ashraf and Somavva returned to Mulagund.  After a while, Somavva's brother also came to Mulagund and hacked the couple to death in broad daylight with an iron rod.

After committing the murder, Devappa surrendered at Shirahatti Police Station.

The police have said that it is not a case of honour killing. Apart from the fact that there was a fight between the brother and sister, the exact reason for this murder is not known yet.