Three people have been arrested for the murder of a 40-year-old man whose body was found inside a rented house in Bengaluruâs Manjunath Nagar, police said on Monday.
The deceased has been identified as Mohan Rao. His body was discovered within the limits of the Bagalagunte police station after neighbours complained of a foul smell coming from the house. Police said the murder had taken place nearly 12 days before it came to light.
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Deputy Commissioner of Police (North West) DL Nagesh said the accused, Urmila alias Bindu, Vinay and Dhanush Gowda, have been taken into custody and further investigation is ongoing.
Murder planned after relationship problems
According to the police, Mohan Rao and Bindu had rented the house two to three months ago, telling the landlord they were a couple, though they were not legally married. Mohan had separated from his wife, and Bindu was also estranged from her husband. They had been living together.
During this time, Bindu reportedly became close to Vinay, a lorry driver. Police said the two decided to get married. However, Mohan allegedly opposed the relationship and insisted that Bindu continue living with him. Investigators believe this became the motive for the murder.
Police said that on the night of the crime, the accused made Mohan consume alcohol. After he was heavily intoxicated, he was stabbed several times with a knife and later suffocated using a plastic cover placed over his face. The crime took place inside the same house where the body was found.
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Dhanush Gowda, who works at a non-vegetarian hotel and is known to the accused, was allegedly called to help carry out the murder.
Mohan Rao was involved in pigmy collection and small business activities, police said. Bindu has claimed that she acted in minor roles in films such as âBhajarangiâ and âPolice Quarters,â though police said these claims are yet to be verified.
Authorities said further questioning of the accused is underway to gather more evidence and establish the full sequence of events.
