In a murder case that reads like a thriller, a brilliant PhD scholar in Bengaluru meticulously planned the murder of his girlfriend, a BSc graduate, inspired by the Kannada crime film Drishya (2014). After more than a year of investigation, the police finally cracked the case, revealing a web of manipulation and cold-blooded murder.

The victim, 24-year-old Arpitha Girimalla Biradar, was reported missing on October 29, 2015. Her body was found in May 2016 in a half-buried state in agricultural land near Hubballi. Though initially a missing-person complaint was filed by her father, the case hit a dead end until an in-depth investigation pointed to Arun Shivalingappa Patil, a gold medalist and PhD scholar at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru.

Despite consistently providing alibis and presenting himself as a close friend of Arpitha, the police uncovered suspicious gaps in Arun’s call records. Further investigation into his belongings, including a diary where he had recorded investigation details, led to his confession. He had killed Arpitha after she began pressuring him for marriage, threatening to expose their relationship to his family and the police. Arun’s meticulous planning was inspired by Drishya, where a crime is covered up through clever tactics.

The murder took place at Unkal Lake near Hubballi, where Arun strangled Arpitha with her own dupatta. He buried her body in a nearby field and returned to Bengaluru, following the plan he had crafted. Arun’s father, a principal, and his brother, an army officer, were unaware of his crime.

The case is still under trial, with Arun out on bail, while the police are continuing to present evidence in court. The chilling murder raises questions about the extent to which media influences individuals, even in real-life criminal cases.