Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkkamagaluru
Chikkamagaluru, Feb 20: The bodies of a young couple from Bengaluru were found under suspicious circumstances in Dasarahalli village, Chikkamagaluru taluk, sparking an ongoing investigation by local authorities.
The deceased man has been identified as Madhu, a native of Bhadravati in Shivamogga, who worked as a car driver. The woman has been identified as Poornima, a teacher at a private high school in Magadi.
Madhu had been living in a rented house next to Poornima's residence in Magadi for the past four to five years. He was well acquainted with her family and was a part of all their family functions. He had even actively participated in Poornima’s younger sister’s wedding a few months ago, where his car was rented for the occasion.
Poornima shared a close bond with Madhu’s family as well. She had previously visited his house in Shivamogga and maintained friendly relations with his mother and sister. They often spoke over the phone, according to Madhu’s sister Sindhu.
On Wednesday evening, after school, Poornima was heading home when Madhu picked her up, saying he would drop her at a village 20 km away. However, instead of taking her home, he drove straight to Chikkamagaluru. At some point, he allegedly murdered her, with strangulation marks found on her neck. It is yet to be determined whether he killed her on the way or after reaching Chikkamagaluru.
After the murder, Madhu reportedly tried to dispose of the body and was seen wandering inside a coffee plantation in Dasarahalli. Later, he parked the car about a kilometer from the main road and used Poornima’s veil to hang himself from a tree nearby.
Police suspect that Madhu may have killed Poornima after she rejected his romantic advances before taking his own life. The case has been registered at Chikkamagaluru Rural police station. Meanwhile, both families were seen in deep distress outside the hospital.
Investigators are looking into multiple angles, including the exact location of Poornima’s death, whether the marks on her neck were caused by Madhu or someone else, the status of her jewelry, and whether Madhu’s death was truly a suicide.
The probe is ongoing.