Udupi: Man held for killing mother over money, family dispute; forensic report points to strangulation

UDUPI: The Manipal police have arrested a man on charges of murdering his mother. The accused has been identified as Esha Naik, 26. According to the police, complainant Shilpa reported that her sister, Padmabai, 45, who was living with her son and daughter-in-law, had been suffering from back pain and was receiving treatment at the Udupi District Government Hospital.

On the night of June 18, around 9 pm, when Shilpa spoke to Padmabai, she mentioned that she was experiencing back pain and was unable to get up. Another sister, Meera Bai, asked Padmabai to come to Malpe the next day, where she would arrange a consultation with another doctor. Padmabai replied that she did not have any money, to which Meera Bai assured her that she would cover the expenses, and Padmabai agreed to come. At around 9.24 pm, Padmabai’s son, Esha Naik, called Shilpa and asked her to send Rs 1,000 via PhonePe, saying that his mother was unwell and he needed to take her to the hospital.

Shilpa agreed, but due to a failure in the PhonePe transaction, the money was not sent. The next day, at 8.40 am, Esha called again and told Shilpa that his mother was not waking up and was lying still in bed. Family members rushed to Padmabai’s house, arranged for an ambulance, and took her to the District Ajjarkad Hospital in Udupi. There, doctors examined her and declared her dead. It was observed that there was redness around Padmabai’s neck, suggesting pressure or strangulation.

Based on the complaint raising suspicions about the cause of death, a case was registered at the Manipal Police Station. A post-mortem examination was conducted by the Forensic Medicine Department of Kasturba Hospital. After the examination, the body was handed over for final rites. Udupi SP Hariram Shankar stated that doctors from the Forensic Medicine Department of KMC Hospital, Manipal, issued a preliminary opinion on Saturday, stating that Padmabai was murdered with malicious intent between 9.22pm on June 18 and 9.45am the next day. Accordingly, a murder case was registered at the Manipal Police Station. Further investigation revealed that her son, Esha Naik, allegedly killed her over financial issues and family disputes.