Belagavi: In a ghastly incident, a Jain monk was found dead with his body cut into pieces in a well at a village in Chikodi taluk of the district, police said on Sunday.

Taking cognisance of the murder, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday directed the officials to thoroughly investigate the case.

"No one is permitted to take the law into their hands. Our officers have intensified their investigation, and some people have been taken into custody. I have given directions that none of the accused should escape," the statement read.

As of now, two persons, Narayana Basappa Madi and Hassan Dalayath, have been apprehended in the case, police said. They were arrested after Basadi Bheemappa Ugare's manager lodged a missing complaint on July 6, they said.

Acharya Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj, the deceased, had been inhabiting Nandi Parvata Jain Basadi for the past 15 years, police said.

The accused allegedly murdered the monk when he inquired about the money lent to them, police said. The deceased used to lend money to people, they stated.

(With UNI inputs)