Bengaluru Woman Allegedly Murdered by Live-In Partner; Accused Tried to Stage Suicide
In a shocking incident in Bengaluru, a 23-year-old woman was allegedly murdered by her live-in partner in the early hours of Thursday at Ramdas Layout, Kodathi. The accused reportedly attempted to make the crime appear as a suicide, but a thorough police investigation quickly unraveled the truth and led to his arrest.
Victim and Accused Identified
The deceased has been identified as Ranjitha HG, while the accused is Ayyappa KB. Both individuals were natives of Kodagu district and had been residing together in a rented house in Bengaluru. Ayyappa was employed at a dry fruit shop, whereas Ranjitha worked as a domestic help to support herself.
Background of the Relationship
According to a complaint filed by Ranjitha's mother, Rani, her daughter had fallen in love with Ayyappa. On December 31, 2025, Ranjitha took Ayyappa to her family home and introduced him as her boyfriend, expressing her intention to marry him. Ayyappa reportedly informed the family that he was already married but was living separately from his wife due to marital issues. He allegedly promised to marry Ranjitha after obtaining a divorce, which gave the family some initial reassurance.
Escalation of Abuse and Final Tragic Events
Two weeks prior to her tragic death, Ranjitha called her mother and revealed that Ayyappa frequently assaulted her over trivial matters. She also alleged that he often partied with friends at their home and subjected her to harassment. On March 1, the situation worsened when Ayyappa allegedly assaulted her, abused her over her caste, and even wished for her death, indicating a severe escalation in the domestic violence.
In the early hours of March 12, Ayyappa contacted Ranjitha's sister and claimed that Ranjitha had attempted suicide. He stated that he had taken her to a private hospital on Sarjapura Road, where doctors declared her brought dead. However, the family immediately suspected foul play, alleging that Ayyappa had killed Ranjitha and was trying to portray it as a suicide to evade justice.
Police Investigation and Arrest
During the preliminary investigation, police discovered that Ayyappa had strangulated Ranjitha with a wire. In an attempt to fabricate a suicide scene, he then tied a rope to the ceiling fan to make it appear as if she had hanged herself. Under interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed to the crime, admitting to the murder and his efforts to stage the suicide.
A senior police officer confirmed that a case has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 103, which pertains to punishment for murder. Additionally, provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have been invoked due to the caste-based abuse reported by the victim before her death.
This tragic case highlights the severe consequences of domestic violence and the importance of thorough police work in uncovering the truth behind such heinous crimes. The community in Bengaluru has been left in shock, with calls for greater awareness and protection for victims of abuse.
