Davangere: In a shocking incident that has stunned Karnataka, two brothers allegedly exhumed their mother’s decomposed body nearly 79 days after her burial and transported the remains on a motorcycle to a hospital, claiming that her death was a case of murder rather than suicide. The incident, reported from Adapur village in Harihar taluk of Davangere district, has triggered a police investigation into both the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death and the unauthorised exhumation of her body.
The brothers, identified as Manjunath and Venkatesh, have been booked by the police for allegedly digging up the body without obtaining the mandatory permission from the competent authorities. The remains have since been shifted to the mortuary at Davangere District Hospital, where further legal and forensic procedures are expected to be carried out.
Woman was found hanging in April
According to the police, the deceased, Eeramma (58), was found hanging at her residence on April 29. A preliminary post-mortem examination was conducted at Malebennur Hospital, following which doctors reportedly concluded that the death was a case of suicide.
Based on the medical findings available at the time, the family conducted her last rites, and she was buried in accordance with local customs.
However, even after the funeral, questions continued to be raised by her family regarding the circumstances of her death. The brothers maintained that they were not convinced by the initial investigation and believed their mother had been murdered.
Sons allege murder linked to family dispute
According to the family, Eeramma had been involved in a dispute over the construction of a box drain with several relatives before her death.
The brothers have accused around 10 to 11 individuals, including Kariyappa, Bhadra, Shakunthala and others, of allegedly assaulting and murdering their mother before hanging her body to make it appear as a suicide.
They claimed that visible injury marks on Eeramma’s body raised doubts about the suicide theory and repeatedly approached the Malebennur Police Station, seeking a fresh investigation and a second post-mortem examination.
The family alleged that their requests did not result in further action.
Brothers demand second post-mortem
Speaking to reporters, the brothers said they had several unanswered questions regarding their mother’s death.
They argued that if the death had indeed resulted from hanging, there should not have been multiple injuries on her body. According to them, only a fresh forensic examination could establish the actual cause of death.
The brothers further alleged that the initial post-mortem examination had been conducted hastily and that the investigation into the complaint filed by Manjunath against the suspected individuals had not been carried out thoroughly.
Determined to pursue what they believed was justice for their mother, they decided to exhume her body.
Body exhumed and transported on motorcycle
According to the police, the brothers allegedly dug up Eeramma’s grave late on Sunday night, nearly 79 days after her burial.
They reportedly chose to carry out the exhumation after dark, fearing opposition from villagers if they attempted it during the day.
After recovering the decomposed remains, they wrapped the body in a bedsheet and placed it on a motorcycle, intending to transport it to Davangere District Hospital for a second post-mortem examination.
However, their journey was interrupted when the motorcycle reportedly lost balance near Shamanur Road on the outskirts of Davangere around midnight.
Passers-by rushed to help following the accident but were shocked to discover that the bundle being carried by the brothers contained a human body.
Police register FIR against brothers
Police immediately reached the spot after receiving information and shifted the remains to the mortuary at Davangere District Hospital.
Officials have registered an FIR against Manjunath and Venkatesh for allegedly exhuming the body without obtaining prior permission from a court or the Tahsildar, as required under law.
Police stated that the legal provisions governing exhumation require official approval before a buried body can be removed for further examination.
Authorities have also initiated DNA testing to scientifically confirm the identity of the exhumed remains before any further forensic procedures are undertaken.
Investigation into death continues
Apart from examining the unauthorised exhumation, investigators are also reviewing the allegations made by the brothers regarding their mother’s death.
Police are expected to verify the earlier investigation, examine the complaints submitted by the family, and assess whether further forensic examination is legally warranted based on the available evidence.
The case has drawn widespread attention across Karnataka because of the unusual manner in which the family attempted to seek a fresh investigation. Authorities have appealed to the public not to speculate on the allegations until the investigation is completed.
Further investigation is under way.