Bengaluru: A missing-person complaint, a body floating in a pond and a secret relationship that turned deadly: Over a decade after tempo driver Nagesh NM, 36, was found murdered on the outskirts of Bengaluru, a court sentenced his wife, mother-in-law and two others to life imprisonment.Nagesh’s elder brother, Raju NM, approached Avalahalli police on Dec 2, 2013, and reported him missing. Nagesh, who drove a goods vehicle, lived with his wife, Lalitha, and their younger daughter in a rented house at Mandur. His elder daughter stayed with her grandparents.The family had gone on a pilgrimage to Dharmasthala, but Nagesh had stayed back because of work. When they returned on Dec 1, Nagesh was nowhere to be found and his phone was switched off. The following evening, Raju found Nagesh’s body, with injuries on the neck and chest, floating in Yenakanakunte pond.Raju learnt from a supervisor at Safal Market that Nagesh had visited his house around 8pm on Dec 1 with Arun Kumar. Nagesh told him that another friend, Raja K, was waiting outside and that they were heading out for a party.Nagesh purchased liquor at a bar near Katamnallur Cross around 9pm. During investigation, then circle inspector Ramesh Kumar HB and sub-inspector Srinivas M found that Lalitha had an extramarital affair with Raja. Nagesh had confronted Raja over the relationship on several occasions. Raja, Lalitha, Arun and Lalitha’s mother, Jayamma, then conspired to eliminate Nagesh and asked Raja to kill him before they returned from Dharmasthala.Raja and Arun attacked Nagesh with a knife after he became intoxicated at the party, causing injuries to his neck and chest. His body was then disposed of in the pond.The chargesheet was filed before the court on Feb 21, 2014. Public prosecutor NB Alumelu argued the case. Judge Saraswathi KN of FTSC-1 Court passed the order on Sept 19.The court convicted Raja K, 35; Arun Kumar, 35; Lalitha, 40; and Jayamma, 60; for criminal conspiracy and murder, sentenced all to life imprisonment and imposed fines.
