Malkundi (Nanjangud): Mysuru District Police have cracked the murder case of a man by arresting his wife and her two paramours. Following the murder, the accused placed betel leaves, turmeric, kumkum and offerings next to the body to create the illusion of black magic.

The victim, identified as Sadashiva (48) from Malkundi village in Nanjangud, was allegedly murdered by his 35-year-old wife, Rajeshwari, along with her sister’s son, 33-year-old Shivaiah and her brother’s son, 38-year-old Rangaswamy. All three have been remanded to Judicial Custody.

Details of the incident

On Oct. 18, around 6.30 am, Sadashiva was discovered near the Madhuvanahalli Government School with his throat slit and fighting for his life. The scene featured betel leaves, turmeric, kumkum and an offering of Rs. 101 placed beside him, designed to suggest black magic.

Villagers rushed Sadashiva to K.R. Hospital in Mysuru, where he later succumbed to his injuries. A case was subsequently registered at Hullahalli Police Station. Initially, the shocked villagers believed that black magicians were responsible for the murder, occurring on a full moon night.

Superintendent of Police (SP) N. Vishnuvardhana formed a special Police team, consisting of Additional SP-2 Nagesh, Nanjangud Dy.SP Raghu, Inspector Manoj Kumar, Sub-Inspectors Rasool Pagavale and Chethan Kumar, ASI Satish and staff members Abdul Latif, Ashok, Bhaskar, Shivakumar, Doddaiah, Mahesh and Asha, to investigate.

During their investigation, the team discovered that Sadashiva was a drunkard who often harassed Rajeshwari, leading to frequent fights between the couple. It also emerged that Rajeshwari was involved in illicit relationships with both Shivaiah and Rangaswamy. The Police found an old knife at the crime scene, which Rajeshwari later admitted was from her home.

Murder plot uncovered

In light of her tumultuous relationship with Sadashiva and her affection for her lovers, Rajeshwari allegedly devised a plan to kill her husband. After discussions with Shivaiah and Rangaswamy, they identified a location for the murder.

According to the Police, on Oct. 17, during the full moon, they made Sadashiva consume liquor at their home before transporting the heavily intoxicated man in Shivaiah’s auto near the Government School around 2 am.

Police said that while Shivaiah and Rangaswamy restrained Sadashiva, Rajeshwari used the knife she had brought from home to slit his throat. Even as Sadashiva struggled for life, the trio placed betel leaves, turmeric, kumkum and the monetary offering beside him to fabricate a narrative of black magic before returning to their homes.

On the morning of Oct. 18, when villagers found Sadashiva still alive but gravely injured, they rushed him to K.R. Hospital but he passed away. In a bid to divert suspicion, all three accused participated in Sadashiva’s last rites. However, their actions raised the Police team’s suspicions during the investigation.

On Nov. 2, the Police arrested Rajeshwari, Shivaiah and Rangaswamy and produced them in Court, where they were remanded to Judicial Custody.

The SP has announced a cash prize for the special team.