Karnataka man kills, buries lover over marriage pressure, arrested after 6 months

A 26-year-old woman was allegedly killed by her lover for pressuring him to marry, with her body buried near a stream to cover up the crime, Karnataka Police said on Sunday. The accused, identified as Satish Hiremath, 28, from Narayanapura village in Gadag district, confessed to murdering Madhushree Angadi, also from the same village, six months ago.

According to the police, Madhushree had been in a relationship with Satish for nearly six years. When her family learned of the affair, they sent her to stay with relatives in Gadag town.

On the night of December 16, 2024, Madhushree left her relatives’ home and never returned. A missing person’s report was filed at Betageri Police Station nearly a month later, on January 12.

Investigations revealed that on the night she disappeared, Satish took Madhushree to a farmhouse near Narayanapura. During the visit, an argument allegedly broke out over her insistence on marriage.

In a fit of rage, Satish strangled her with a veil and later buried her body near a stream, police said.

In the months that followed, Satish continued with his routine, working at a petrol pump and maintaining that he had last dropped Madhushree on the outskirts of town. But a key inconsistency, location data from Madhushree's mobile phone, alerted police.

"A message ping from her phone placed her in a location that didn't align with Satish's version. He had claimed he dropped her and had no idea where she went. But technical evidence suggested otherwise," BS Namegouda, Superintendent of Police, Gadag said.

Faced with mounting contradictions, Satish eventually confessed during interrogation and led the police to the burial site. Skeletal remains were recovered from the location, though Madhushree's skull remains missing.

Forensic tests are underway to establish the identity and cause of death.

The police have registered a murder case and are seeking Satish’s police custody for further investigation and recovery of additional evidence.

"He buried the body in a way that he thought would never be discovered. Initially, we considered the possibility of elopement. But when no further activity was traced from either party, suspicion grew. Persistent investigation finally broke the case," Namegouda said.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

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