Hiriyadka: In a major boost to the morale of local police, the team investigating the double murder case of a young mother and 10-year-old daughter have arrested the accused within 48 hours of the murder. The young woman identified as Cheluvi and her daughter were found murdered on May 8 at their residence at Mullagujje, Atradi here.
The arrested accused has been identified as Harish R aka Ganesha (29), a distant relative of late Cheluvi, police sources said.
The case was being investigated by a team of police officials led by Brahmavar Circle Police Inspector Anantha Padmanabha and comprised of Hiriyadka SI Anil B Madara, Kota SI Madhu BE, Probationary SI Manjunath, and Ravi B Karagi and staffs Raghavendra and Nitin.
According to the police investigation, Harish was taking advantage of Cheluvi’s widowhood while pestering her to marry him. He was also visiting her house frequently. However, it is learned that Harish was already married and had two children.
According to reports, Harish envied Cheluvi’s connection with other men over the phone and had an argument with Cheluvi while her daughter was asleep. In the heat of the argument, Harish fiercely murdered her by strangling her with a shawl, reports said.
Fearing testimony of the 10-year-old daughter, he murdered the child similarly, before escaping from the scene and going underground with jewelry worth Rs 50 thousand and the deceased’s mobile phone, police said.
District superintendent of Police Vishnuvardhan lauded the investigating team for their efforts and congratulated them on cracking the case and arresting the accused within 48-hours of the crime.
