Bagalagunte double murder: Woman’s friend arrested

BENGALURU: Days after the brutal murder of a woman and her eight-year-old son, the Bagalagunte police have arrested her friend Shekappa a.k a Shekar (38) in connection with the case.

Three days ago, Navaneetha (35) and her son were found murdered in their house in Bagalagunte police limits. She had left her husband Chandru two years ago and was living separately.

The accused knew the victim for the last six years.

After her separation, Navaneetha got into a relationship with Shekar. About a year ago, she had befriended Lokesh, to which Shekar objected. He warned her not to continue her relationship with Lokesh and had even assaulted, As Navaneetha continued to be friends with Lokesh, he even threatened to kill her, police said.

On Monday, Shekar visited Navaneetha’s house as usual and sent out the boy to bring some juice. In the meantime, he picked an argument with Navaneetha and slit her throat with a knife which he had brought. When the boy returned, Shekar tied up his hands and legs on the pretext of showing him a magic trick and then suffocated him with a pillow. He then dumped both bodies on the bed and left. He told neighbours that Navaneetha had cheated on him, police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Shiva Prakash D said the accused knew the victim for the last six years.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Shiva Prakash D said Shekar was arrested on Thursday evening. “Prima facie, Shekar and Navaneetha knew each other for the last six years. He could not bear the fact that she had befriended someone else. He had even planted the knife in her hand to make it look like a suicide. The incident occurred on September 4 and we were informed about it the next day on the helpline 112. Further investigation is on”.