MADIKERI: Three persons, including the victim’s wife, have been arrested by Shanivarsanthe police in connection with the murder of a 34-year-old man, whose body was found buried in a coffee estate in Kodagu. The body of Puneeth, a native of Sakleshpur, was found in Hemmane village near Shanivarsanthe in Somwarpet taluk.
The accused have been identified as Rathna, Puneeth’s wife, Parvathamma, Rathna’s mother and Rathna’s alleged lover Praveen.
Police said Puneeth and Rathna were living in Yasaluru in Hassan district. About a year ago, Rathna reportedly developed a relationship with her distant relative Praveen and later moved to Hemmane village to live with him.
On March 29, Puneeth is said to have visited Rathna’s residence, where an argument broke out. During the altercation, he was allegedly assaulted by the trio and succumbed to his injuries at the house.
In an attempt to cover up the crime, the accused allegedly shifted the body to a nearby coffee estate and buried it.
The case came to light after Puneeth’s sister filed a missing person complaint. During the investigation, police traced the body and took the three accused into custody. A murder case has been registered.