Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Apr 30: In a shocking case of attempted murder, a court in Udupi has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for attempting to kill a woman by strangulation and stuffing her into a suitcase.
The victim’s husband, Ramanath Rai, a resident of Manchi Kumery in Udupi, runs a milk parlour near Tiger Circle in Manipal. On February 18, 2022, Rai had gone to his shop as per his routine, leaving his wife, Sumathi, alone at home.
At around 7:15 pm, Mithun, a relative of Sumathi from Beltangady, arrived at the house in Manchikodi along with his friend Nagesh. Recognizing Mithun, Sumathi opened the door.
The duo then forcibly entered the house and, with the intent to kill her, strangled her until she lost consciousness.
Believing she was dead, the accused placed Sumathi inside a sack, stuffed it into a suitcase, and prepared to transport the body. At that moment, Ramanath Rai returned home with a few neighbours and knocked on the door. The accused opened the door and attempted to flee by pushing them aside, but were apprehended by the public at the spot and handed over to the police.
Upon opening the suitcase left in the hall, Ramanath Rai and others discovered Sumathi unconscious inside the sack. She was immediately rushed to KMC Hospital, where she underwent treatment for a week and eventually recovered.
Based on a complaint filed by a neighbour, Sudarshan, a case was registered at the Manipal Police Station. The investigation was conducted by the then police sub-inspector Rajashekhar Vandali, who filed a charge sheet against the accused under Sections 449 (house trespass), 325 (causing grievous hurt), and 307 (attempt to murder) read with 34 (common intention) of the IPC.
After the trial, the Principal District and Sessions Judge of Udupi, Kiran S Gangannavar, found the accused guilty and delivered the judgment on April 30, 2026.
The court sentenced Mithun and Nagesh to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 each under Sections 449 and 307 of the IPC. Additionally, they were awarded five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 each under Section 325.
Of the total fine collected, the court ordered Rs 45,000 to be paid to the victim as compensation.
Public prosecutor Jayaram Shetty represented the prosecution.