Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Mar 27: In connection with the double murder of a mother and her 10-year-old daughter at Madaga Mullugujji in Aatradi village near Hiriyadka on the night of May 8, 2022, the additional district and sessions court has found the accused guilty.
Judge Sameeulla of the additional district and sessions court held that the charges of murder, robbery, and destruction of evidence against Harish (33), a native of Bhadravathi, were proven, and accordingly declared him guilty.
It may be recalled, a case had been registered at the Hiriyadka police station against the accused for murdering Cheluvi and her daughter Priya (10), and robbing a gold chain from their necks along with a mobile phone.
Harish was in an illicit relationship with Cheluvi and suspected that she was in contact with other men. Based on this suspicion, he had conspired to murder her. On May 8, after confirming that her mother and son had gone to Bhadravathi, he called Cheluvi and visited her house at night.
After checking Cheluvi’s mobile phone and confirming that she was in contact with others, Harish strangled her to death around 12.30 am using a chunni (dupatta) while she was asleep.
Fearing that Cheluvi’s daughter Priya could become a witness to the crime, he strangled her as well using the same chunni. He then fled with the gold chain worn by the girl and a mobile phone from the house. Police investigation revealed that he had also attempted to destroy evidence.
The case was investigated by the then Brahmavar circle inspector Ananthapadmanabha, who filed the charge sheet. The court examined a total of 40 witnesses during the trial. Government prosecutor Beluru Prakashchandra Shetty argued the case for the prosecution.