Bengaluru: What was initially treated as an unnatural death has now turned into a murder investigation in Nagarabhavi II Stage, Bengaluru. The victim, Nagarajaiah, a 70-year-old retired accountant, was found dead in his home near Hanumagiri Temple on the night of October 23, showing injuries on his head, hands, and legs.
Discovery of the body
Nagarajaiah lived alone for over two decades after divorcing his wife. His elder brother, Somashekaraiah, filed a complaint after failing to contact him for 15 days. On October 23 around 9 pm, a close friend informed him that the building watchman had noticed Nagarajaiah had not left his house since the previous night. Somashekaraiah and his son, Shashidhar, accessed the house with a spare key around 9:30 pm and found Nagarajaiah dead in his bedroom.
Evidence of foul play
The postmortem report revealed that Nagarajaiah had been assaulted prior to death, prompting further investigation. CCTV footage from the building and surrounding areas showed a man carrying an umbrella, concealing his face, arriving at the premises at 9:50 pm on October 22, despite no rain. The man was later seen leaving at 5:10 am the next day, again hiding his identity.
Scene of Crime officials (SOCO) discovered blood traces near the main door lock, windows, and other parts of the house, suggesting forced entry and struggle.
Police action
Following these developments, the Bengaluru police registered a fresh FIR on November 5 under BNS Sections 103 (murder) and 238 (causing disappearance of evidence). Authorities are examining CCTV footage and forensic evidence to identify the suspect and establish the motive behind the attack.
Conclusion
The investigation into Nagarajaiah’s death highlights the importance of vigilant neighborhood security and forensic inquiry in solitary elderly residents’ cases. Police continue to search for the unidentified suspect who may have concealed his identity using an umbrella during the crime.