Pramesh S Jain
A 24-year-old woman was found dead under suspicious circumstances at a homestay near Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapur district on Monday,while her malefriend was found unconscious and has been admitted to hospital.Police are investigating whether the case is one of murder or suicide.
The deceased has been identified as Sai Surabhi,a Bengaluru resident.Her boyfriend,Sanjeeth Ali,from Kozhikode,Kerala,is undergoing treatment after a suspected suicide attempt.
Senior officer told reporters that the couple checked into a homestay near Muddenahalli on Saturday.When they failed to check out on Monday and did not respond after the scheduled checkout time,the caretaker opened the room and found Surabhi hanging.Sanjeeth Ali was found unconscious inside the room.
The Police also recovered some tablets from the room, raising suspicion that poison may have been consumed. A diary containing handwritten notes was also seized and is being examined as part of the investigation.
The body has been shifted for postmortem examination, while forensic experts inspected the scene.
Family members of Surabhi,has alleged that she was murdered by Sanjeeth Ali.She claimed that he had been harassing Surabhi despite earlier police complaints and alleged that he had introduced her daughter to drugs.
According to the mother,(Geetha),Surabhi had undergone treatment and had recovered.
Geetha further said that a missing complaints had earlier been lodged against Sanjeeth Ali at Kumaraswamy Layout and Banashankari police stations, following which police had reunited Surabhi with her family.She also alleged that Sanjeeth continued to pursue her daughter despite the complaints.
Reacting to the incident,Chikkaballapur Superintendent of Police,Kushal Chowksey said the exact cause of Surabhi’s death is yet to be determined.
At first glance,the woman was found hanging, but the rope had been cut. We are investigating whether this is a case of murder or suicide.Sanjeeth Ali is unconscious, and more clarity will emerge once he regains consciousness and is questioned,the SP said.
Police confirmed that the couple had been staying at the homestay for the past three days and the incident came to light only when staff went to remind them about checkout.
The probe is continuing from all angles,and the Nandigiri Dhama Police are awaiting forensic and postmortem reports before reaching any conclusions.
They are also awaiting recovery of Sanjeeth Ali to question him to ascertain the sequence of the incidents and reason behind.
