- Monday, October 28, 2024
The deceased has been identified as Ramesh (54), and the police have arrested his second wife Niharika and two accomplices – Ankur Rana of Haryana and Nikhil Maireddy of Bengaluru
By: Shajil Kumar
KARNATAKA police have solved the murder of a Telangana-based businessman, whose burnt body was found in an estate in Kodagu district on October 8.
The deceased has been identified as Ramesh (54) and the police have arrested his second wife Niharika (29), and two accomplices – Ankur Rana (30) of Haryana and Nikhil Maireddy (28) of Bengaluru.
Police said it was a murder for gain as Niharika wanted to take control of his assets worth ₹80 million (£732,718.48).
Ramesh was murdered in Hyderabad, and the body was put in his car and brought to Kodagu, after travelling nearly 840 kilometres.
It was then set afire in a coffee plantation near Suntikoppa in Kodagu district.
When the police reached the crime spot, the body was partially charred, clothes burnt, and maggots were present.
They found it difficult to establish the identity of the victim. They collected information of missing persons from neighbouring districts and states.
Meanwhile, Niharika had filed a missing person complaint after disposing of the body.
They also examined the vehicles that had travelled in the area.
After checking the footage from over 500 CCTV cameras, they narrowed their focus on a red Mercedes Benz that was registered in Ramesh’s name.
They soon took Niharika into custody and she confessed to the crime. During interrogation, she also admitted the involvement of Rana and Nikhil.
Police said Niharika along with Rana killed Ramesh in Hyderabad, put the body in the car and drove to Bengaluru.
She sought Nikhil’s help to dispose of the body, and he allegedly took the body to Suntikoppa, where it was found in a partially burnt state.
Police said that Niharika was earlier arrested for financial fraud in Haryana, and she came in contact with Rana in jail. Further investigations are continuing.
