Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Oct 22: The suicide case which came to light in Amparu in the taluk on October 19 has witnessed an interesting twist. The case has now been changed into murder and five including the wife of the victim stand arrested. Two of the accused, who are still minors, have been admitted into the remand home.

Nagaraj (36), resident of Vivek Nagara, Modubage in Amparu village, was murdered. Accused Mamatha (34), who was the wife of Nagaraj, and her acquaintances, Kumar and Dinakar stand arrested. Two minors said to be involved in the murder were produced in the court and remanded to judicial custody.

Mamatha had earlier filed a complaint claiming that her husband had hanged himself between 6.30 pm on October 18 and 6 am on October 19 at his residence. It was also explained that Nagaraj, who was heavily addicted to liquor, had become frustrated with his life and therefore had killed himself. But Nagaratna, sister of the deceased, and some other relatives had expressed suspicion of foul play.

The family members found that the body, kept in the mortuary of Shankaranarayana government primary health centre, had injury marks on the body and the neck region. Nagaratna thereafter complained to the police suspecting it to be a case of murder. She stated that a few days before his death, Nagaraj had called her and told her that his wife and some others had assaulted him. Now a murder case has been registered and the accused have been arrested.

Nagaraj was from Shivamogga district and he had married Mamatha ten years back after falling in love with her. The couple have three children. Nagaraj is said to have been a habitual drunkard who created a din at his house everyday. Some local sources claim that the murder happened because of illicit relationship. The police are investigating.