A man was brutally murdered in Bengaluru after being suffocated with a plastic item, police said on Monday (March 2). The incident took place in the Manjunath Nagar area under the limits of Bagalagunte police station and has shocked local residents. Police have arrested three people, including a woman, in connection with the murder. According to investigators, the woman was living in a rented house with the deceased after both separated from their spouses. She was also in a relationship with another man, which the victim strongly opposed. Frequent arguments over this issue allegedly led to the crime.
Officials have identified the deceased as Mohan Rao, who was in his 40s. He was engaged in pigmy collection, financing two-wheelers, and some small-scale business activities, they said.
What The Police Said
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Nagesh D L stated that they reached the incident site soon after receiving information regarding a man’s dead body. He said, “When we visited the spot and conducted an inspection, it was found that someone had murdered him (Rao) and left the body there. In this connection, a murder case was registered, and an investigation was taken up.”
Following the investigation, the police zeroed in on three people – a woman identified as Bindu, and her associates Vinay and Dhanush Gowda. “Accordingly, all three have been arrested and taken into custody. Further investigation is under way,” he said.
Fake Couple Lie
Police said the preliminary investigation revealed that though Bindu and Rao were not a couple, they convinced the rented house’s owner that they were married to each other. “Rao had left his wife and had been living alone for a long time. At the same time, the woman (Bindu) had also been married earlier and was living separately from her husband. So both of them came together and took a house for rent,” he said.
They had been living in the rented house for the past three months.
Love Angle with One of the Accused
While sharing the apartment with Rao, Bindu had developed feelings for Vinay who had also planned a marriage with her. However, Rao had objected to Bindu’s relationship with Vinay and asked Bindu to stay with him only. Police suspect that this could be a reason behind the mysterious death of Rao.
An officer said Vinay, Bindu, and Dhanush allegedly conspired to eliminate the deceased.
“It is learnt that they (accused) made him consume alcohol at night, then stabbed him with a knife and also suffocated him by covering his mouth and nose with plastic, thereby committing the murder,” DCP Nagesh said in a video statement.
Bindu claims that she has completed LLB, but that needs to be verified. She also claims to have acted in some short videos or movies, but police said they do not have proper information yet.
Responding to questions, the DCP said Vinay is a lorry driver who became acquainted with Bindu, and the two decided to get married. Since Rao was allegedly obstructing their marriage, he was murdered for that reason.
Gowda, described as a friend known to Bindu, was also involved in the crime. He was reportedly working at a restaurant, he said.
Police said Bindu had called Gowda over the phone seeking help, following which he joined the other two in committing the crime. Further investigation is underway.
