Shock in Bengaluru: Elderly Woman Brutally Assaulted and Killed by Long-Term Domestic Helper
A horrific incident has left the residents of KAS Colony in BTM Layout II Stage in Bengaluru reeling with shock and disbelief. In a case that underscores deep-seated trust violations, a 65-year-old woman was allegedly raped and murdered by her domestic help at her own residence, according to police statements made on Sunday. The accused, identified as Devaraju, aged 45, later allegedly died by suicide in the same room, adding a tragic layer to this already devastating crime.
Victim and Accused: A Decade-Long Association Ends in Tragedy
The victim, a homemaker and wife of an employee at a private finance firm, had employed Devaraju for the past ten years. Originally from Bommasandra and a native of Hosur in Tamil Nadu, Devaraju had become an integral part of the household. His responsibilities included cleaning the house, washing the family car, caring for their pet dog, and purchasing vegetables and groceries. Initially staying in a paying guest accommodation, he had earned the family's trust over the years, leading them to invite him to vacate his PG and reside in their home.
The family, which originally hails from Mangaluru, consists of the couple and their only daughter, aged 26, who works for a private firm. In the household arrangement, Devaraju slept in the hall on the ground floor, while the couple occupied their bedroom on the same floor. Their daughter's bedroom was situated on the first floor.
Discovery of the Crime: A Husband's Return from Dubai Unveils Horror
The crime is believed to have occurred around midnight on Saturday. The incident came to light in the early hours of Sunday, around 4:30 AM, when the woman's husband returned home from Dubai, where he had been on a work-related trip for the past week.
Upon his arrival, he knocked on the door but received no response for nearly three minutes. Growing concerned, he called his daughter, who opened the door for him before returning to sleep. Noticing that Devaraju was not in his usual sleeping spot in the hall, the husband's suspicions were immediately aroused.
He entered his bedroom to a scene of utter horror: his wife lying unconscious on the bed and Devaraju hanging with a rope. His screams alerted his daughter, who rushed downstairs and promptly informed the police.
Police Response and Initial Findings
Officers from the Mico Layout police station swiftly arrived at the scene and conducted a detailed inspection. Senior officials, including DCP (South-East) Mohammad Sujeetha MS, also visited the crime spot to oversee the investigation.
Preliminary examinations revealed marks on the deceased woman's neck. The daughter, who was on a different floor at the time of the crime, was completely unaware of the incident until her father's discovery. Both bodies were subsequently shifted to a mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Based on the daughter's formal complaint, the police have registered a case of rape and murder. Following the autopsy, doctors have orally informed the police that the woman had been sexually assaulted and died due to neck compression. Investigators suspect that Devaraju, who was known to consume alcohol nightly, may have realized the woman was dead after some time and subsequently took his own life.
"We are awaiting the official autopsy report for conclusive findings," stated a senior police officer, emphasizing that the investigation is still ongoing to piece together the exact sequence of events and motives behind this brutal act.
