22-year-old youth arrested for school teacher’s murder in Melukote

MANDYA: The police have arrested a 22-year-old youth for the murder of a school teacher from Manikyanahalli near Melukote in 30 hours after her body was found buried on a hill near the village. The youth, who was missing since then, was arrested from Hosapete.

Deepika’s body was exhumed on Monday, two days after she was killed.

Nitish, who celebrated his birthday last Saturday, called Deepika (28) and asked to meet near the foot of the hill after her school hours. The two had an argument following which Nitish killed Deepika and buried her body. A video of the two arguing was captured on a mobile phone by a tourist.

Deepika’s scooter was found at the foot of the hill last Saturday. (Right) The spot where Deepika was buried.

Deepika’s scooter was found at the foot of the hill the same day after which her family members had lodged a missing person’s complaint. On Monday, villagers noticed vultures circling in the sky above the hill after which Deepika’s body was found buried. Her husband Lokesh had suspected Nitish’s role in the murder. Nitish was also the last person to have called Deepika.

Nitish, who had stayed put in the village on Saturday and Sunday, fled to Mysuru on his two-wheeler after the body was dug up on Monday. He handed over his motorcycle to a friend and then travelled to Hosapete by bus. He had switched off his phone all the while.

A tourist had shared a video of the two arguing at the foot of the hill.

Sitting in the Hosapete bus station, Nitish switched on his phone and called his father. The Mandya police immediately tracked his location and alerted the Hosapete police after which he was nabbed.

Nitish was brought to the Melukote police station and questioned and he is said to have admitted to having killed Deepika. He presumed that since he had buried the body, it would not be found, police sources said.

Nitish and Deepika had befriended each other two years ago and were quite close. Her family members had warned Nitish and had questioned her about their relationship to which she had said that Nitish was like her brother. After this, the two had maintained distance and Nitish would address her as his sister.