‘Stabbed several times, suffocated with plastic cover’: Woman, lover kill her live-in partner in Bengaluru

Three people have been arrested for the murder of a 40-year-old man whose body was found inside a rented house in Manjunath Nagar in Bengaluru, police said Monday.

The victim, identified as Mohan Rao, was discovered within the limits of the Bagalagunte police station. His body had been lying in the house for nearly 12 days before neighbours alerted authorities after noticing a foul smell.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North West) D.L. Nagesh said the accused — Urmila alias Bindu, Vinay and Dhanush Gowda — have been arrested and taken into custody. “All three have already been arrested, and the investigation is continuing,” he said.

Police said Mohan Rao and Bindu had rented the house two to three months ago, telling the landlord they were a couple though they were not legally married. Mohan had separated from his wife, and Bindu was also estranged from her husband. They had been living together in the Manjunath Nagar residence.

During that time, investigators said, Bindu allegedly developed a close relationship with Vinay, a lorry driver. The two reportedly planned to marry, but police believe Mohan Rao opposed the relationship and insisted that Bindu continue living with him.

“Bindu developed a close friendship with Vinay, and they decided to get married. It is learned that Mohan Rao was an obstacle to their marriage and was forcing the woman to stay with him. To get him out of the way, the three together committed the crime,” DCP Nagesh said.

According to police, the murder took place inside the same house where the body was later found. On the night of the incident, the accused allegedly made Mohan consume alcohol. Once he was heavily intoxicated, he was stabbed multiple times and then suffocated with a plastic cover placed over his face, officers said.

Police added that Dhanush Gowda, who works at a non-vegetarian hotel and is known to the other accused, was called to assist in carrying out the killing.

Investigators said Mohan Rao was involved in pigmy collection and small business activities. Bindu has reportedly claimed to have acted in minor roles in films such as “Bhajarangi” and “Police Quarters,” though police said those claims are yet to be verified.

Authorities said further interrogation is underway as they work to gather additional evidence and reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the murder.