Bengaluru: City police have arrested an 18-year-old youth for allegedly murdering a 34-year-old software engineer after she rejected his sexual advances, in a case that was initially believed to be a fire accident at her apartment in east Bengaluru. A detailed investigation later revealed that the fire was deliberately set to destroy evidence after the killing.
The deceased has been identified as Sharmila D K, a software engineer working with a leading technology firm. She hailed from Dakshina Kannada and was living alone in a two-bedroom flat at Sankalpa Nilaya in Subramanya Layout. Sharmila was unmarried and had been residing in the apartment for some time along with a roommate, who was away in her hometown in Assam since November 14, 2025.
Fire initially believed to be accidental
The incident came to light on the night of January 3, when a fire was reported at Sharmila’s flat between 10.15 pm and 10.45 pm. Fire and emergency services rushed to the spot, doused the flames and discovered Sharmila’s charred body inside the apartment.
At first, the police suspected a short circuit, as the fire appeared to have originated in the bedroom used by Sharmila’s roommate. With no immediate signs of forced entry and the building being a residential complex, the incident was initially treated as an accidental fire death.
However, doubts were raised after one of Sharmila’s friends expressed suspicion over the circumstances of the fire and her sudden death. Acting on this information, the Ramamurthy Nagar police registered a case of unnatural death and ordered a detailed investigation.
Forensic probe points to arson
A thorough examination of the scene was carried out by Scene of Crime Officers and forensic experts. Their findings ruled out an electrical fault or accidental fire. Investigators found tell-tale signs indicating that the blaze had been deliberately caused.
“The evidence clearly indicated arson. There were no indicators of a short circuit or electrical malfunction,” a senior police officer involved in the investigation said. The post-mortem report further revealed that Sharmila died due to suffocation, strengthening the suspicion that the fire was set after she had already been overpowered.
Technical evidence, including call records and digital footprints, helped police narrow down the list of suspects and eventually led them to a young neighbour living in the same locality.
Neighbour identified as accused
The accused has been identified as Karnal Kurai, an 18-year-old PUC student and Sharmila’s neighbour. He is a native of Virajpet in Kodagu district and had been residing in Bengaluru with his single mother.
Police said Kurai allegedly entered Sharmila’s flat through a sliding window around 9 pm on the night of the incident. During questioning, investigators found that the accused was familiar with the layout of the apartment and was aware that Sharmila was alone at the time.
Sexual assault attempt and murder
According to the police, Kurai confronted Sharmila inside her flat and demanded that she “cooperate sexually.” When she resisted and tried to fend him off, the accused allegedly restrained her by covering her mouth and nose, causing her to lose consciousness.
During the struggle, Sharmila reportedly sustained bleeding injuries. Investigators believe that she died due to suffocation as a result of the assault.
After realising that she was no longer responsive, the accused allegedly attempted to destroy evidence. Police said he went to the vacant bedroom, collected Sharmila’s clothes and other incriminating material, and set them on fire. The blaze spread within the room, giving the impression of an accidental fire.
Before fleeing the scene, the accused allegedly took Sharmila’s mobile phone with him, possibly to erase evidence or prevent investigators from accessing her call records and messages.
Arrest and legal action
Following the collection of technical evidence and witness inputs, the police arrested Kurai from his residence on January 10. At the time of arrest, he was aged 18 years and three months.
He was produced before a court and has been remanded to three days of police custody for further interrogation. Police said additional questioning is required to recover the victim’s mobile phone and to reconstruct the sequence of events in detail.
The accused has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. These include Section 103(1) for punishment for murder, Section 64(2) for punishment for rape, Section 66 for causing death or resulting in a persistent vegetative state of the victim, and Section 238 for causing disappearance of evidence or giving false information to screen an offender.
Shock and concern over safety
The incident has sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood and raised serious concerns about the safety of women living alone in urban areas. Residents described Sharmila as a quiet and hardworking professional who kept to herself.
Police officials reiterated that the case highlights the importance of not dismissing suspicious circumstances as accidents and praised the role of forensic analysis in uncovering the truth.
Conclusion
What initially appeared to be a tragic fire accident has turned out to be a brutal crime driven by rejection and violence. With the arrest of the accused, the police say they are committed to ensuring swift justice for the victim. The case stands as a grim reminder of the need for greater vigilance, stronger community awareness and robust investigative follow-up in cases involving unexplained deaths.