Sister-in-law, accomplice held for woman’s murder within 24hrs in Chikkaballapur

Chikkaballapur: Chikkaballapur police have solved the murder of a 23-year-old woman within 24 hours of the crime, arresting her sister-in-law and the latter’s cousin for allegedly conspiring to kill her and stage the incident as a robbery.

The victim, Pushpalatha, a resident of Kandavarapet in Chikkaballapur, was found murdered at her home shortly after midnight on May 28. Initially, Bhavya, the twin sister of Pushpalatha’s husband Bharath, told police that an unidentified intruder had entered the house, sprayed pepper spray on her, rendered her unconscious, and slit Pushpalatha’s throat before fleeing with her gold ornaments.

Police said the investigation took a dramatic turn when forensic examination and the autopsy report raised doubts about Bhavya’s account. There were no signs of forced entry into the house and the injury on the victim’s throat was found to be superficial, contradicting the claim that she had been killed by throat-slitting.

According to superintendent of police Kushal Chousky, sustained interrogation led Bhavya to confess to the crime. Bhavya had been allegedly blackmailed by Lohith Kumar of Hoskote, who possessed private videos and photographs of her and had already extorted Rs 6 lakh.

To meet his escalating demands, Bhavya allegedly plotted to rob Pushpalatha. Taking advantage of the family’s absence, she left the door open for Lohith, who allegedly smothered Pushpalatha with a pillow before making a small cut on her throat to mimic a murder-for-gain case and fleeing with her jewellery.

Police have arrested Bhavya and Lohith Kumar and are investigating whether other family members were involved.