BALLARI: Police are yet to arrest the suspects in the murder of a couple in TB Halli police limits in Hagaribommanahalli taluk. The couple belong to different faiths. Reshma Banu (22) and K Nagaraj (18) were murdered recently.
The incident came to light when villagers of G Kodihalli noticed Nagaraj lying in a pool of blood under a tree on March 25.
The Aadhaar card found in his pocket revealed that he was a resident of Karichikkayanaroppa of Hiriyur taluk in Chitradurga district. Nagaraj was found stuffed in a gunny bag with severe injuries on his neck, face and shoulders.
Hanumanthappa, a villager, informed TB Halli police and took Nagaraj to the government hospital at Hagaribommanahalli. However, he was shifted to the Bapuji Hospital in Davangere. He was later taken to a private hospital in Manipal as per doctors’ advice. But, he succumbed to his injuries on March 31.
Last year the couple met at a summer camp at Hagaribommanahalli. Reshma was a graduate, while Nagaraj was a first year PUC student. Their friendship turned into love and Nagaraj used to meet Reshma at Hagaribommanahalli frequently. Nagaraj is said to have not written all his papers in the I PUC exam this year.
Sources said Reshma’s parents, who came to know about the couple roaming around Hagaribommanahalli, asked their daughter to end the relationship. On the pretext of speaking to the boy, they told Reshma to bring him home.
Nagaraj went to their house at Hampasagara on March 23. Reshma’s father and brothers took him to a plantation near the house and allegedly assaulted him brutally. Reshma, who rushed to his rescue, reportedly sustained severe injuries and died on the spot
. Assuming that Nagaraj was also dead, Reshma’s parents allegedly packed him in a gunny bag and threw it outside G Kodihalli. Meanwhile, they performed the last rites of the girl the very next day.
Superintendent of Police Chethan R told Express that a murder case has been registered and a team has been formed to investigate the case. He said no arrest has been made as the investigation is still on.
Meanwhile, TB Halli PSI Mangu Naik was suspended for dereliction of duty as he allegedly showed ‘negligence’ by not informing his higher-ups about the matter.