In a shocking incident in Uttarahalli, south Bengaluru, a 65-year-old woman was murdered by her tenant couple on Tuesday afternoon. Police said the accused — a mason and his wife, who worked at a jewellery store — killed the woman in a desperate attempt to overcome financial troubles and tried to sell off her mangalasutra.

The victim, identified as Shrilakshmi, was found dead in her residence on the ground floor of a two-storey house. Her husband Ashwath Narayana, 70, who works at an incense stick factory, found her body after she stopped answering his calls.

The accused and the motive

The accused were identified as Prasad Srisaila Makai (26) and his wife Sakshi (23), who had been living as tenants in the same building for about six months.

According to police, the couple — married for one-and-a-half years — was under severe financial stress. “They hatched a plan to kill their landlady and steal her jewellery,” a senior officer from the Subramanyapura Police Station said.

The duo confessed that they attempted to sell the 30-gram mangalasutra to raise money.

Murder during a casual visit

On Tuesday, the couple visited Shrilakshmi’s house on the pretext of checking out her television, claiming they wanted to buy a similar model.

While she was speaking to her sister on the phone, they waited and watched TV. Once the call ended, police said, the couple assaulted and strangled Shrilakshmi, using a pillow to muffle her cries.

They then took her gold chain and fled. Other ornaments, including her finger ring, earrings, and nose ring, were left untouched.

Discovery and investigation

When Shrilakshmi did not respond to calls after 2:15 p.m., her husband grew worried and contacted neighbours and relatives. Around 6:30 p.m., he rushed home to find her lying motionless on the floor, with visible injuries on her neck, lips, and face.

He immediately informed the police and named the tenant couple as prime suspects.

Based on his complaint, police registered a case under sections for murder and robbery.

During interrogation, police noted the couple’s inconsistent statements and missing pillow, which raised suspicion. The pair later confessed to the crime.

Police have since recovered the stolen mangalasutra and said further investigation is underway.