A shocking murder case in Karnataka’s Ballari district has taken a dramatic turn with the arrest of a woman, her husband and her brother for allegedly killing a 26-year-old man whose partially burnt body was discovered near a canal earlier this month.
The deceased, identified as Basavanagouda Patil, worked at a private laboratory and had gone missing on the night of June 7. His semi-charred body was found the following morning near the Shivapura–Tambrahalli LLC canal under the jurisdiction of Moka Police Station.
Call records helped crack the case
Police said the investigation initially focused on identifying the victim’s last contacts. Call Detail Records (CDR) revealed that Patil’s final calls and messages were exchanged with a woman identified as Shwetha. Investigators grew suspicious when she could not be traced immediately after the incident.
Further investigation led police to arrest Shwetha, her husband Dodda Basavanagouda and her brother Vijay from Bengaluru. The three have since been remanded to judicial custody.
Woman alleges year-long blackmail
During questioning, Shwetha allegedly told investigators that Patil had been harassing and blackmailing her for nearly a year. She claimed he threatened to circulate her private photographs on social media and continued to intimidate her despite repeated attempts to stop him.
Police said Shwetha eventually confided in her husband and brother. According to investigators, the trio then allegedly conspired to eliminate Patil.
Lured to canal before murder
Investigators believe Shwetha remained in contact with Patil and persuaded him to meet her near the canal on June 7. Police allege that her husband and brother were waiting at the location when Patil arrived.
The accused allegedly attacked and killed him before attempting to destroy evidence by setting the body on fire. After the crime, all three reportedly fled to Bengaluru, where they were later tracked down and arrested.
Police said they are still verifying several aspects of the case, including the nature of the relationship between Patil and Shwetha and whether the alleged blackmail claims can be substantiated. The investigation remains ongoing.