Police investigating Hema Sri’s murder have gathered substantial evidence to prove that her husband Surendra Babu is behind the murder.
Hema Sri, a 32-year-old Kannada TV actress, was found dead under ‘mysterious’ circumstances on Tuesday. Sources said Babu, a JD(S) leader and realtor, killed her by administering chloroform.
In this regard, a police team has left for Anantapur, where the death occurred. A senior police officer said that Hema Sri wanted to leave for Hyderabad on Monday evening as she had a shoot scheduled for Tuesday.
“Though she did not want Babu to accompany her, he went along on the pretext of dropping her in Hyderabad. The couple left in their car, which was driven by one Satish. They reached Anantapur in the night and went to a farmhouse owned by Murali, Babu’s friend.”
“The couple were given one room but Hema Sri insisted on a separate room. A quarrel ensued and they argued through the night. In the wee hours of Tuesday, Babu allegedly administered chloroform and smothered her to death. Not knowing what to do with the body, he put it into the car and brought it to Baptist Hospital, Bangalore, by afternoon. In an attempt to appear innocent, he lied saying Hema Sri fell ill on the way to Anantapur,” the officer said.
“It is not known whether Babu asked driver Satish to leave or he fled realising Hema Sri had been murdered. Both Satish and Murali are absconding. We are trying to trace them to record their statements. We are also questioning the staff of the farmhouse, friends and relatives of the accused,” the officer added.
Further, Police Commissioner B G Jyothiprakash Mirji said several questions remained unanswered about Babu’s involvement in his wife’s death. “We are awaiting the postmortem and forensic science laboratory reports. We will get them in a day or two. Only then we will get a clearer picture,” Mirji added.
