Tumakuru: Skeletal remains of a 38-year-old woman, missing since March 21, were discovered on a private farm near Sompura village along NH-48, sending shockwaves across the district. Police have identified the deceased as Yamuna, a resident of Basaveshwara Layout in Kyathasandra, and suspect foul play, with her former partner emerging as the prime accused.
The remains were found on Thursday by a landowner who had visited his field to perform a puja. Upon noticing a skull and other bones, he immediately alerted authorities, following which the Dabaspet police rushed to the spot and secured the area.
Identification through belongings
Officials said the body had decomposed significantly, leaving behind skeletal remains. However, a bag found near the site helped establish the identity of the victim. The bag contained Yamuna’s clothes, company identity card and Aadhaar card, which were used to confirm her identity.
Yamuna had been working at a private firm near Halenijagal for the past seven months. She had been reported missing by her family after she failed to return home from work on March 21.
Family’s search and missing complaint
Yamuna had been married to Mallikarjun for 19 years and was a mother of two children. According to police, she had celebrated her 38th birthday with her family just two days before she went missing.
When she did not return home, her family made repeated attempts to trace her. After failing to locate her, her husband filed a missing complaint at Kyathasandra police station in Tumakuru district.
Suspicion falls on former partner
Investigators suspect that Yamuna may have been murdered following a dispute with her former live-in partner, identified as Raghavendra, a native of Kodigehalli village in Doddaballapur taluk.
Police said Yamuna had previously been in a live-in relationship with Raghavendra for nearly six to seven years after separating from her husband. However, she later returned to her family following differences in the relationship.
Authorities allege that Raghavendra had been pressuring Yamuna to return to him and had even issued threats to her husband and children.
CCTV footage provides clues
As part of the investigation, police examined CCTV footage from the surrounding areas. The footage reportedly shows Yamuna walking with Raghavendra around the time she went missing, strengthening suspicion against him.
Police believe that the two may have had an argument, which could have escalated into a violent confrontation leading to her death.
Hunt underway for accused
A search operation has been launched to trace Raghavendra, who is currently absconding. Police suspect that after committing the crime, he disposed of the body in the fenced farmland and fled the scene.
Forensic teams have collected evidence from the site, and further analysis is underway to establish the exact cause of death.
Conclusion
The discovery of Yamuna’s skeletal remains has brought a tragic end to weeks of uncertainty for her family. As the investigation progresses, police are focusing on apprehending the accused and piecing together the sequence of events leading to her death. The case highlights the importance of timely intervention in missing person cases and the need for stronger measures to address threats and domestic disputes.