Bengaluru: A mysterious foul smell from a locked rented house on Bengaluru’s outskirts unravelled a murder that remained hidden for nearly five days. Police suspect a young migrant worker from Bihar was strangled and smothered to death allegedly by her live-in partner, who wrapped her body in a bedsheet, locked the house and fled.The deceased is Reema Kumari, 20, and her partner is Dheeraj Kumar. The murder came to light Wednesday night after neighbours alerted police about the foul smell.Police said the couple came to Bengaluru a year ago and rented a house in Gerupalya, claiming they were husband and wife. They were working in a factory nearby. Dheeraj is suspected to have murdered Reema four to five days ago before locking the house and escaping. He is suspected to strangled her with a dupatta and smothering her with a pillow.As Reema failed to report for work for a few days, a colleague visited the couple’s rented house Wednesday and alerted neighbours about the foul smell coming from inside.Reema’s decomposed body was found wrapped in a bedsheet and kept near the toilet. She was found wearing only her inner garments, police said.Deputy commissioner of police (south-west) Anitha B Haddannavar said, “The couple told the house owner they were married, but we are not sure. Once we trace Dheeraj, we will know.”
