A 65-year-old former ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) employee allegedly killed his wife by strangling her with a towel and then waited inside the house till he was arrested.
Officials said Nageshwar Rao, a resident of The Virtuoso apartment complex in South Bengaluru's Bommanahalli, was undergoing treatment for depression and intended to take his own life. Before attempting suicide, he decided to kill his wife, Sandya Sri, and did so by strangling her with a towel on Wednesday.
Rao stayed in the house after the murder and then contacted an acquaintance, who alerted the police around 11 am. A team took him into custody.
"He was reportedly undergoing treatment for depression and was distressed. He allegedly intended to take his life after the incident, which is why he attacked his wife. There appear to be no other major reasons," Saidulu Adavath, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Whitefield), was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
The couple's daughter lives in the US and has been informed, said an official.
"On Wednesday at 10 am, the man approached his wife while she was in the kitchen and strangled her using a towel," said Ramesh Banoth, Joint Commissioner of Police for the East Division, addressing reporters.
What retired ISRO employee told police?
Preliminary investigations suggest the accused was dealing with serious health problems and emotional strain. Police said he was deeply worried about who would care for his wife if he died.
During initial questioning, he reportedly told police: "If I die, who will take care of her? We have no relatives here. I did not want her to suffer alone."
After the attack, the man called an acquaintance, who alerted other residents in the building. Neighbours rushed to the flat and found the woman unresponsive. A doctor residing in the same complex examined her and informed the authorities.
Avalahalli Police Station officers arrived soon after, confirmed her death, and took the retired officer into custody.
"Based on the information received, a case of murder under BNS has been registered at Avalahalli Police Station, and the accused has been taken into custody. During questioning, he did not provide coherent responses. He appears to be mentally disturbed," Banoth said.
Saidulu Adavath, Deputy Commissioner of Police for the Whitefield Division, said authorities are examining the man's mental and medical history.
"He was reportedly undergoing treatment for depression and was distressed. He allegedly intended to take his life after the incident, which is why he attacked his wife. There appears to be no other major reason," Adavath said.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
