Strangled to death using scarf; Murder comes to light when adopted daughter returns from school

Mysore/Mysuru: A woman was found allegedly murdered at her house near Jyothi Vidya Samsthe in Kuvempunagar yesterday.

The deceased woman is Manjula (41), wife of H.D. Kote’s Scheduled Tribe Development Board Manager Nagaraju. The murder came to light when Manjula’s 9-year-old daughter (adopted daughter) Megha, who is studying in 3rd standard, returned home from school at about 3.45 pm and found the lifeless body of her mother with a scarf tied around her neck.

Shocked on seeing the lifeless body of her mother, Megha screamed, came outside the house and informed about it to an aged woman known to her. The aged woman, who alerted the neighbours, went inside the house to confirm Megha’s information and later informed Nagaraju.

Yesterday morning, Nagaraju left for work to H.D. Kote while Megha left for school leaving Manjula alone at home. Miscreants, who entered the house, reportedly strangled Manjula to death with a scarf, but have not touched any valuables in the house. But Manjula’s mangalasutra is missing.

Nagaraju and Manjula, who were married for 26 years, had no children and had adopted Megha, it is said. Meanwhile, Kuvempunagar Inspector Arun and staff, who rushed to the spot, conducted mahazar, registered a case and shifted the body to MMC&RI mortuary for post-mortem. Dog squad and Fingerprint experts were also summoned to the spot.

DCPs M. Muthuraj (Law and Order) and S. Jahnavi (Crime and Traffic) also visited the spot and provided guidance to the Investigating Officer.

The Police, who have suspected the murder to be the handiwork of someone known to the couple, are investigating in all angles.