Bengaluru Murder Mystery: Mangaluru Techie Killed by PUC Student, Arson Used to Hide Crime

The mysterious death of Sharmila Kushalappa, a software engineer from Mangaluru residing in Bengaluru, has taken a dark turn. What was initially reported as a fatal apartment fire in Ramamurthynagar has now been confirmed as a brutal murder. Bengaluru police have arrested a 19-year-old PUC student who lived next door for the crime.

From Accidental Fire to Cold-Blooded Murder

34-year-old Sharmila, an employee at Accenture, was found unconscious in her locked flat on the night of January 3rd after neighbors spotted smoke. Firefighters rescued her, but she was declared dead at the hospital. While initial reports suggested she died of smoke inhalation, forensic experts found suspicious struggle marks on her body.

Forensic Evidence Cracks the Case

The post-mortem report was the turning point. Doctors concluded that Sharmila was smothered to death before the fire even started. Acting on a complaint from her friend, K. Rohit, police focused their investigation on the residents of the building, leading them to Karnal Kurai, a 2nd-year PU student from Virajpet, Kodagu.

Chilling Confession: Lust and Rejection

During interrogation, the accused confessed to entering Sharmila’s flat through a sliding window at 9:00 PM. When he made advances toward her, she resisted and screamed for help. In a fit of rage and fear of being caught, the student allegedly covered her nose and mouth, suffocating her until she lost consciousness and died.

A Desperate Attempt to Destroy Evidence

To hide his tracks, the accused noticed bloodstains on Sharmila's clothes. He removed the stained clothing and set them on fire inside the kitchen area, hoping the entire incident would look like an accidental short-circuit fire. He then escaped through the same window he entered. He is currently in police custody for further investigation.

Media Sources and Reference Links

This report is compiled based on official police briefings and reports from leading news outlets. You can verify the details through these sources:

Disclosure: This article is provided for informational and safety awareness purposes based on documented police reports and mainstream media coverage. All accused individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.