Bengaluru: In a shocking incident, a 46-year-old man allegedly burnt a woman alive inside a car before dying by suicide by jumping in front of a moving train in a separate location.
The victim, Saroja (35), a resident of Devanahalli, worked as a Kannada lecturer in a private college. The accused, identified as Ramanjinappa, was a resident of Marasandra village and worked as a contract employee at the taluk office in Doddaballapur. He was reportedly divorced.
The incident came to light on Saturday when local residents discovered a burnt car in a deserted stretch near Jinke Bachahalli, under the Doddaballapur Rural police station limits. Inside the vehicle was a charred body of a woman, burnt beyond recognition.
Police were alerted immediately, and a preliminary investigation began at the scene. Officials later identified the victim as Saroja.
Investigators found that the car belonged to a neighbour of the accused, who had reportedly borrowed it under the pretext of taking a family member to the hospital.
Police said a half-burnt shirt and a mobile phone recovered from the spot played a key role in linking Ramanjinappa to the crime.
Based on these clues, a search operation was launched to trace him, as he had gone missing following the incident.
Officials suspect that the accused had carried petrol in the vehicle, indicating that the murder was premeditated. He is also believed to have sustained burn injuries during the act.
On Sunday morning, Ramanjinappa's body was found on the Bidadi-Hejjala railway track. Railway police recovered his Aadhaar card from the spot and confirmed his identity.
Police believe he died by suicide by jumping in front of a moving train, possibly to evade arrest.
According to police sources, Ramanjinappa had returned home after the incident with burn injuries. When questioned by neighbours, he initially claimed he had been attacked with acid.
However, he later allegedly confessed to the crime to a close acquaintance before fleeing.
Investigators suspect that Ramanjinappa and Saroja were in a relationship and that a dispute between them may have led to the murder. The exact motive, however, is still under investigation.
Police have registered a case and are continuing to gather evidence, including forensic analysis and witness statements, to establish the sequence of events.
Officials are also verifying the accused's movements before and after the incident to strengthen the case.
The incident highlights a disturbing case of violence that ended in two deaths. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the full circumstances and ensure accountability, even as the case appears to have stemmed from a personal dispute.