Man Murders Married Lover In Mandya Days After Facebook Meet, Held With Her Phone

Last Updated:June 27, 2025, 00:36 IST

Fearing discovery, Puneeth allegedly took Preethi's mobile phone and moved her body to his farmland, burying it there

Further interrogation of Puneeth is underway. File pic/News18

In a chilling murder case, a man has been arrested in Karnataka’s Mandya district for allegedly murdering his married lover just days after they connected on Facebook. The brief but intense interaction between the two culminated in a brutal act of violence.

The victim, 28-year-old Preethi, was reported missing by her husband on June 23 in Hassan’s Hosakoppa area. The investigation began when police discovered Preethi’s mobile phone was still active. As Mallikarjun Baladandi, Mandya’s superintendent of police, explained, “When we called, a man named Puneeth from Karoti village answered. He said, ‘She had rented our car and then took a bus. She left her phone behind; that’s why I have it now’."

The case took a grim turn when a villager informed authorities of a body found nearby, which was later identified as Preethi’s.

According to SP Baladandi, Puneeth, a 30-year-old car renter, had met Preethi, who worked in a garment factory, just a week earlier through Facebook. Their online conversations quickly grew frequent. On Sunday, Preethi asked Puneeth to come to Hassan, and he brought her to Mysuru in a rented car.

They visited a few places before checking into a lodge near KRS, where they reportedly had sexual relations.

The situation escalated when Preethi allegedly insisted on continuing their physical relationship, which Puneeth was reluctant to do. He drove her towards KR Pete, but her persistence reportedly continued.

Puneeth then took her to a forested area in Katteraghatta. “She expressed a desire to stay with him longer. He refused, saying there were people around. They argued, and he slapped her. She fell to the ground. He then picked up a stone and hit her with it, killing her," SP Baladandi stated.

Fearing discovery, Puneeth allegedly took her mobile phone and moved Preethi’s body to his farmland, burying it there. “We have registered a case of murder and arrested him," confirmed SP Baladandi. He added that this tragic meeting was their first in-person encounter, despite their online communication spanning just four days. Preethi was married with two children and had reportedly told her family she was going to the garment factory. Further interrogation of Puneeth is underway.

Harish Upadhya

Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi...Read More

Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi...

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