Bengaluru: What was initially registered as an unnatural death after a woman was found hanging in her rented room in Rajarajeshwarinagar has taken a dramatic turn, with police arresting her husband and his friend on suspicion of murder. The case escalated after doctors who conducted the post-mortem raised serious doubts about the cause of death, prompting investigators to widen the probe.
The deceased has been identified as Asha, whose body was found on January 10 hanging from a ceiling fan using a saree in the room where she had been living. Based on preliminary circumstances, the Rajarajeshwarinagar police had initially registered a case of unnatural death (UDR) and launched an inquiry. However, subsequent medical findings and family allegations changed the course of the investigation.
Complaint by brother reveals troubled marriage
The case gained momentum following a complaint filed on January 10 by Arun Kumar, Asha’s brother. In his statement to the police, Arun Kumar alleged that Asha had married Virupaksha, a native of Santemavathuru village in Kunigal taluk, around six years ago after being in a relationship with him.
According to the complaint, the couple had moved to Bengaluru after marriage and had been residing in Rajarajeshwarinagar for the past one-and-a-half years. Arun Kumar alleged that from the early days of the marriage, Virupaksha failed to take responsibility for the household and did not hold steady employment, instead depending largely on Asha’s income.
The brother further claimed that the marriage deteriorated over time due to frequent disputes, which he attributed to Virupaksha’s alleged illicit relationship. These issues, he said, caused severe mental distress to Asha.
Separation and pending divorce
Police sources stated that the couple had been living separately for about one-and-a-half months prior to Asha’s death. A divorce petition had already been filed and was pending before the Family Court, indicating that the marital relationship had broken down irretrievably.
Investigators believe this period of separation and the ongoing legal dispute are significant factors that will be examined closely to establish motive. The police are also verifying whether there were any recent interactions between the couple that could shed light on the events leading up to Asha’s death.
Post-mortem raises suspicion
While the initial scene suggested suicide, the case took a crucial turn on January 11, when doctors at Victoria Hospital conducted the post-mortem examination. According to police officials, the doctors expressed suspicion over the nature of the injuries and the cause of death.
A detailed medical opinion was submitted to the investigating officers, raising the possibility that Asha may not have died by suicide. Based on these observations, the police upgraded the investigation and began treating the case as one of suspected homicide.
Arrests and confession claims
Following the medical opinion and further inquiry, the Rajarajeshwarinagar police took Asha’s husband Virupaksha and one of his friends into custody on January 14. During interrogation, police claim that both men confessed to their involvement in the crime.
According to investigators, Virupaksha allegedly strangled Asha to death and later staged the scene to make it appear as a suicide by hanging her body from the ceiling fan using a saree. The precise role played by the friend is still under investigation, though police suspect he may have assisted either before or after the act.
Senior officers have stated that the confessions are being corroborated with forensic evidence, call records, and other material collected from the scene.
Court remand and ongoing probe
The accused were produced before a magistrate on January 15. The court remanded them to eight days of police custody to allow investigators to carry out detailed questioning and reconstruct the sequence of events.
Police sources said the custody period would be used to verify the confessional statements, establish the exact motive, and determine whether the crime was premeditated. Investigators are also examining whether there were prior instances of domestic violence or threats that went unreported.
Focus on motive and evidence
Officials said that several aspects remain unclear, including the exact timeline of events on the day of Asha’s death and the extent of the friend’s involvement. Forensic reports, including ligature mark analysis and other medical findings, are expected to play a key role in strengthening the prosecution’s case.
The police are also recording statements from neighbours, relatives and acquaintances to understand the dynamics of the couple’s relationship and to identify any warning signs that may have preceded the incident.
Conclusion
The case has highlighted how deaths initially believed to be suicides can sometimes conceal more serious crimes. With medical evidence raising red flags and the arrest of close associates of the deceased, the investigation has entered a critical phase. As the probe continues, police say further details regarding the motive and circumstances of Asha’s death are likely to emerge, potentially leading to additional charges as the case moves towards trial.