Daijiworld Media Network – Mysuru

Mysuru, Aug 25: A 20-year-old married woman was brutally murdered in a lodge in Bheerya village, Saligrama, and police say her lover is the prime accused in the crime.

According to police, the accused stuffed a chemical powder—suspected to be gelatin or another explosive compound—into the woman’s mouth before killing her. He then attempted to mislead investigators by claiming that she died due to a mobile phone explosion.

The accused, identified as Siddaraju, has been arrested. Police revealed on Monday that he tried to create a false narrative by saying a phone blast had caused the death.

The victim, Darshita, hailed from Gerasanahalli in Hunsur taluk and was married to a man from Kerala. However, she was allegedly in an extramarital relationship with Siddaraju, who ultimately turned into her killer.

According to investigators, the two had checked into a lodge when a heated argument broke out between them, leading Siddaraju to murder her. After the incident, he shouted that a mobile phone had exploded, possibly to attract attention and divert suspicion.

However, when hotel staff arrived at the room, they found no mobile phone present. Upon questioning, Siddaraju claimed he had thrown the phone out of the window following the blast.

"Staff searched for the phone but could not locate it, which raised suspicions. They immediately alerted the police," said a senior police official involved in the investigation.

Based on circumstantial evidence and Siddaraju’s inconsistent statements, the police intensified their interrogation. He eventually confessed to the murder, after which he was placed under arrest.

“We suspect he used a chemical substance, possibly a gelatin stick, to kill her. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team is currently examining the material to confirm its composition,” the officer added.

A case has been registered at the Saligrama police station, and further investigation is underway to determine the exact motive and method of the murder.