Daijiworld Media Network - Tumakuru

Tumakuru, June 29: Even as the shocking murder cases of Sonam in Meghalaya and a housewife in Mandya remain fresh, another gruesome crime has come to light in Karnataka.

A woman, allegedly involved in an illicit relationship, murdered her husband by throwing chilli powder in his eyes and then stepping on his neck — with the help of her lover.

The incident occurred in Kadashettihalli of Tiptur taluk in Tumakuru district. The victim, 50-year-old Shankaramurthy, was allegedly killed by his wife Sumangala and her lover Nagaraju.

According to police, the murder took place on June 24. Sumangala, who worked as a cook at a girls’ hostel in Kalpataru College, Tiptur, had reportedly been in a relationship with Nagaraju, a resident of Karadalu Sante village. When Shankaramurthy became an obstacle to their affair, the duo conspired to eliminate him.

On the night of the murder, the accused threw chilli powder into Shankaramurthy’s eyes, beat him with a wooden stick, and eventually killed him by stamping on his neck. They stuffed the body into a gunny bag and transported it nearly 30 km before dumping it into a farm well in the Dandaneshwara police limits of Turuvekere taluk.

Initially, a missing person’s complaint was registered at Nonavinakere police station. However, suspicion arose, and a search was conducted at Shankaramurthy’s farmhouse. There, police found traces of chilli powder and evidence of a scuffle, prompting a more focused investigation.

Upon interrogation, Sumangala reportedly confessed. Call Detail Records (CDRs) further supported the investigators’ suspicions, exposing the affair and the murder plan.

Both Sumangala and Nagaraju are now in police custody. Shankaramurthy’s body has been recovered and sent for post-mortem. The case has triggered shock and widespread discussion in the Tiptur region.