A 32-year-old man from Vijayanagara district has been arrested by Bengaluru Police for allegedly strangling his wife and attempting to disguise the murder as an accidental electrocution. The victim, a widow with a 15-year-old daughter from her first marriage, was found dead in the bathroom of their Maragondanahalli apartment on October 15, just nine months after the couple married following a connection made on Instagram. The case has drawn attention to the risks of relationships initiated online, spotlighting the need for caution in digital interactions amid Bengaluru’s thriving social media culture.

The accused initially claimed his wife died from an electric shock caused by a malfunctioning water heater. However, suspicions arose when the victim’s daughter reported a heated argument between the couple the previous day and noted that the bathroom door was locked from the outside when she returned home. This critical detail, inconsistent with an accidental death, prompted the victim’s sister to file a complaint on October 16.

Bengaluru Police swiftly registered a case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for murder and detained the suspect. During interrogation, he confessed to strangling his wife in a fit of rage over suspected infidelity and staging the scene by tampering with electrical wiring to mimic an accident.

On October 17, the accused was produced before a local court and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody as investigations continue. Police are examining forensic evidence, including the water heater and digital communications between the couple, to uncover any prior tensions or motives, such as financial disputes. The postmortem report is expected to confirm strangulation as the cause of death, with additional charges for evidence tampering likely. The victim’s daughter, now under family care, is receiving counselling to cope with the trauma. Authorities have emphasised the importance of thorough investigations to ensure justice, with the case highlighting vulnerabilities in Bengaluru’s densely populated urban landscape, home to over 13 million residents.

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The incident has sparked broader conversations about domestic violence and the complexities of relationships formed through social media. With Instagram facilitating countless connections in tech-savvy Bengaluru, experts from the Karnataka State Women’s Commission have renewed calls for public awareness campaigns on safe online interactions, citing a 20% rise in domestic disputes linked to digital platforms in 2025. As police probe deeper into the couple’s history for potential red flags, this tragedy underscores the need for vigilance and open communication to prevent such outcomes. Community leaders are urging residents to report suspicious behaviour promptly, reinforcing that behind virtual connections lie real-world consequences requiring empathy and accountability.

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