Woman, lover arrested for murder by Sagar police

Shivamogga: A case initially reported as a suicide has taken a shocking turn during police investigation, emerging as a premeditated murder driven by an illicit extramarital affair. Sagar police have arrested the victim’s wife and her lover in connection with the crime.

The deceased, Parashuram, was a worker living in JP Nagar, Sagar. He was married to Chaitra for 15 years.

Police said the incident occurred on the night of April 15. The wife initially told Sagar police that after an earlier physical relationship, Parashuram returned home heavily intoxicated and demanded sex again. When she refused, he allegedly became angry, went into another room, and slit open his own stomach with a sickle. Based on her statement, police registered a case of unnatural death. Superintendent of police B Nikhil visited the scene.

Suspecting foul play, the victim’s brother filed a complaint at Soraba police station, stating that Parashuram had not died by suicide.

Taking up the case for a detailed probe, sub-Inspector Shantaraju uncovered evidence pointing to homicide, police said. The investigation revealed that Chaitra and her long-time lover, Manjunath, were behind the murder.

Police said that on the night of April 15, a heated argument broke out between Parashuram and Chaitra. During the altercation, Manjunath intervened, leading to a physical fight between the two men. In the course of the fight, Manjunath allegedly attacked Parashuram with a sickle, inflicting fatal injuries.

To cover up the crime, Chaitra and Manjunath allegedly staged the incident as a suicide and rushed a bleeding Parashuram to hospital, claiming he had harmed himself. During interrogation, it emerged that Manjunath had carried out the murder.

Speaking to TOI, the SP said both Chaitra and Manjunath have been arrested and produced before a court.