Bengaluru: A 72-year-old retired employee of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was taken into custody after he allegedly strangled his wife to death inside their apartment under Avalahalli police station limits in the Whitefield division on Wednesday morning. Police said the incident came to light after the accused himself informed a neighbour about the killing.

Incident inside apartment around 10.30 am

According to police, the incident occurred around 10.30 am inside the couple’s flat at Bommanahalli. The accused has been identified as K Nageshwar Rao (72), while the deceased is his wife Sandhya Sri (65), a painter by profession.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Rao allegedly used a towel to strangulate his wife inside a room of their apartment. There were no immediate signs of forced entry or struggle involving any third person, suggesting the act took place within the house when the couple were alone.

Police said the act is currently being treated as a case of murder based on initial evidence collected at the scene.

Neighbour alerted doctor and police

A senior police officer said that after the alleged act, Rao called one of his neighbours at around 11 am and told him what he had done. Shocked by the disclosure, the neighbour immediately contacted a doctor known to the family and requested urgent help.

The doctor, after learning the details, alerted the Avalahalli police. A police team rushed to the apartment and found Sandhya Sri lying unresponsive inside the flat. She was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel.

Rao was present in the apartment when police arrived and was taken into custody for questioning. The body was later shifted to a hospital for postmortem examination.

Mental distress angle under probe

Investigating officers said preliminary enquiry suggests that the accused had been under mental distress for some time. He had reportedly expressed emotional strain and personal difficulties in recent months.

Police sources said Rao is suspected to have been in a disturbed state of mind and had allegedly contemplated ending his own life. Investigators are probing whether he decided to kill his wife before attempting suicide, though no suicide attempt had occurred at the time police intervened.

Officials said statements from neighbours and acquaintances are being recorded to understand his recent behaviour pattern. Medical history and any ongoing treatment for mental health issues are also being verified.

Couple lived alone, daughter abroad

Police said the couple originally hail from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh and had been residing in the apartment for the past three years. They were living by themselves without other family members in the house.

Their daughter is currently residing in New Jersey, United States. Authorities have informed family members about the incident and are awaiting their arrival to complete further legal formalities and record statements.

Neighbours described the couple as generally quiet and said there had been no recent public disputes reported from the flat. However, police are checking whether there were any ongoing domestic or personal issues that may have contributed to the incident.

Murder case registered, further probe on

A formal murder case has been registered at Avalahalli police station. Investigators are documenting forensic evidence from the apartment, including the cloth allegedly used in the strangulation and other material objects found at the scene.

Police said the postmortem report will play a key role in confirming the exact cause and timing of death. Forensic teams are also analysing the scene layout and physical evidence to corroborate the sequence of events described by the accused.

Officers added that the accused will be produced before a court and remand procedures will follow as per law. Depending on medical evaluation, psychological assessment may also be requested during the investigation.

The case has raised concern about elderly couples living alone and the need for timely mental health support and community intervention where signs of distress are noticed. Police said the investigation is continuing on all angles before filing the final charge sheet.