Puttur: Woman Found Murdered - Needle of Suspicion on Husband

Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Feb 28: The mortal remains of a woman named Renuka (24) from Kuntoor Keddotte near Kadaba were found lying in a forest region on Monday February 27. The fact that the location where the body was found is a small distance away from her home, and that Renuka’s husband, Muralidhar, has not been seen since Monday evening, have given reasons to believe that he had committed this murder.

Renuka, daughter of Janardhana Gowda from Achchila in Mardhala, had worked in a fancy store in Kadaba before her marriage. She is survived by husband and an 18-month-old daughter, Yajna.

She had married Muralidhar four years ago. The villagers had seen Renuka leaving her home in the company of her husband to the forest region to collect fodder for their cattle on Monday. Yajna had remained home. On seeing that Renuka did not come back even at night, her brother and other neighbours went into the forest searching for her, and found her lifeless body.

A sickle and rope used for collecting fodder and greens was found lying by the side of Renuka’s body. A boulder used for crushing her skull was also found nearby. Muralidhar, who the locals said has been suffering from psychological problems since some years, continues to be at large. Although his family had claimed at the time of his marriage that he had been treated and cured of the disorder, it was found later that he continued to suffer from this condition. He used to visit a psychiatrist for treatment, as evidenced by prescriptions found at his home.

As soon as news of the murder was conveyed, Puttur assistant superintendent of police, Anuchet, rural police station circle inspector, H Y Jagadish, Kadaba sub-inspector of police, Nagaraj, and other personnel rushed to the spot. Sniffer dogs were also summoned to help in investigation.