Udupi: Manipal police have arrested a woman in connection with an alleged attempt to murder and robbery case involving her roommate at Shantinagar in Manipal. Police said the accused was taken into custody after an investigation involving CCTV analysis and questioning of multiple suspects following the attack on a woman found unconscious with severe head injuries in a rented accommodation.

Victim found unconscious inside rented room

According to police, complainant Megha Gowda was residing in a rented room at Shantinagar along with her friends Nagarathna, Gagana and Yogitha.

On the night of May 12, Megha Gowda, Nagarathna and Gagana had reportedly gone for night shift binding work in the industrial area of Manipal.

Police said that after completing their work, the three women returned to their room at around 7:15 am on May 13 and noticed that the room door was partially open.

On entering the room, they allegedly found Yogitha lying unconscious on the floor with serious head injuries and bleeding from the head. Police also found broken cement stones near the victim.

The roommates also noticed that Yogitha’s gold chain was missing.

The injured woman was immediately shifted to a private hospital in Manipal for treatment. Based on a complaint filed by Megha Gowda, Manipal police registered a case and began an investigation.

Special team formed to investigate case

Considering the seriousness of the incident, Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar personally visited the scene and directed officials to conduct an immediate investigation.

A special investigation team under the leadership of Manipal Police Inspector Mahesh Prasad was formed to trace the accused and recover the stolen valuables.

Police officials examined CCTV footage from nearby areas and questioned several individuals during the course of the investigation.

After gathering evidence and following leads, police detained a suspect identified as Sushma Annappa Naik, aged 31, a resident of Bavikeri village in Ankola taluk of Uttara Kannada district.

Accused allegedly confessed during interrogation

Police stated that during interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the crime.

According to investigators, Sushma was staying in a neighbouring room and had reportedly been facing financial difficulties.

Police alleged that she had been under pressure from her family regarding financial support and had been asked to return home after being unable to send money for nearly three years.

According to police, the accused allegedly planned to steal Yogitha’s gold jewellery.

Investigators stated that on the night of May 12, the accused allegedly slept in the victim’s room and later attacked Yogitha at around 4:30 am while she was asleep.

Police alleged that she repeatedly assaulted the victim using a concrete hollow block before stealing the victim’s gold chain and earrings.

After the incident, the accused allegedly returned to her own room to avoid suspicion.

Accused allegedly joined rescue efforts

Police further stated that after Megha Gowda and other roommates returned and raised an alarm after discovering Yogitha injured, the accused allegedly joined them and accompanied them while shifting the victim to the hospital.

Investigators suspect this was done to avoid drawing suspicion towards herself.

Police arrested the accused on May 13 and recovered the stolen gold chain and earrings from her possession.

Investigation conducted under senior officers

Police stated that the investigation was conducted under the guidance of Additional Superintendent of Police Sudhakar Nayak and Udupi Sub-Division Deputy Superintendent of Police Belliyappa following instructions from Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.