Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Jul 9: An Indian software engineer from Telangana has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife in the United States, months after investigators alleged that he strangled her and attempted to mislead authorities.

According to US media reports citing court documents, 30-year-old Avinash Narne appeared before a court in Washington state on Monday, where he denied the charge. The court rejected his request to conceal his face from television cameras, directed him to surrender his passport and retained his bail at $5 million.

Narne remains lodged at the King County Jail awaiting trial.

Police alleged that Narne murdered his 27-year-old wife, Raajitha Sabbineni, just four months after their arranged marriage. Investigators further claimed that he remained in contact with a woman in India with whom he was allegedly in a secret relationship and sent her a photograph of his wife's body shortly after the incident.

According to court documents, Narne spoke to the woman four times on the day of the alleged murder.

The incident came to light on October 27, 2025, when Narne called emergency services, claiming that his wife was locked inside the bathroom and was unresponsive. Responding officers found Sabbineni lying on the bathroom floor. She was declared dead at the scene despite efforts by first responders to revive her.

Narne initially told investigators that he had returned home and found his wife in that condition.

However, an autopsy conducted by the King County Medical Examiner's Office concluded that Sabbineni died of asphyxia caused by strangulation, leading investigators to reclassify the case from a suspicious death to a homicide.

Investigators have relied on digital evidence, including WhatsApp messages, electronic door-lock records and other forensic data, to support the murder charge. According to the investigation, electronic records indicate that no one other than Narne entered the apartment around the time of Sabbineni's death.

Court documents also state that Narne referred to a deleted photograph of his wife's body during questioning, which investigators have cited as part of the evidence.

While prosecutors contend that the digital evidence points to a premeditated killing, Narne has denied any involvement. The case will now proceed to trial in Washington state.