Domestic dispute ends in suspected homicide-suicide at Rajeshwari Nagar
Bengaluru: Police have launched an investigation after a couple were found dead at their rented residence in Hegganahalli, Rajeshwari Nagar, with preliminary enquiries indicating a suspected domestic homicide followed by suicide, officials said.
According to the Rajagopal Nagar Police, the deceased have been identified as 32-year-old Sumanth, a civil engineering graduate from Dakshina Kannada working in Bengaluru, and his 29-year-old wife Padmavathi, a software professional from Hubballi. The couple had been married for about four years, police said.
Police said neighbours and the landlord were alerted after Sumanth reportedly contacted his mother during the incident. The mother received a message from him indicating he intended to kill himself and subsequently informed the landlord, who opened the house. When officers and others entered, Sumanth was found hanging from a ceiling fan in the hall while Padmavathi was found dead inside the residence.
- Incident location: Rented house in Rajeshwari Nagar (Hegganahalli), Bengaluru.
- Reported victims: Sumanth (32), Padmavathi (29).
- Action taken: Rajagopal Nagar Police registered a case and shifted bodies to Victoria Hospital for post-mortem.
Police said the exact cause of Padmavathi's death and the sequence of events leading to both deaths are yet to be established.
Police sources said the couple had an argument on Wednesday which allegedly turned violent. The statement from the investigating officers notes that Sumanth is accused of assaulting Padmavathi and allegedly suffocating her with a pillow, causing her to lose consciousness. After realising Padmavathi was not breathing, he called his mother and later sent the message indicating he would die, police said.
The Rajagopal Nagar Police reached the spot, registered a case and took both bodies to Victoria Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine the precise cause of death and the sequence of events. Forensic and medico-legal procedures are expected to be carried out as part of the probe, police added.
Local context and investigation steps
Domestic violence and family disputes that end in fatalities have been an increasing concern for city authorities and civil society groups in Bengaluru. The police have not released further details about motive, any prior complaints, or whether there were reports of previous abuse involving the couple.
The investigation will examine:
| Area of enquiry | What police will probe |
|---|---|
| Forensic evidence | Autopsy findings, signs of struggle, toxicology |
| Digital records | Mobile messages, call logs, CCTV in and around the premises |
| Witness statements | Landlord, neighbours, family members |
The Rajagopal Nagar Police said they will also record statements from immediate family members and neighbours and review any electronic evidence available. The exact FIR sections invoked were not disclosed in the initial statement.
As the probe continues, authorities have appealed to anyone with information about the incident or who may have seen or heard anything at the residence on the day in question to contact the local police station.
The case underscores continuing concerns about domestic disputes escalating to lethal outcomes in urban households. The police have not indicated whether any counselling or support referrals were in place for either party prior to the incident.
Further updates will follow as the post-mortem report and forensic results are completed and the investigation proceeds.
