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Priest Murdered: Wife and Lover Conspire
10 Mar
Summary
- Temple priest found murdered near a canal after disappearing.
- Investigation revealed wife's alleged affair led to conspiracy.
- Four suspects arrested, including wife and her associates.
A temple priest, Siddalingappa, 50, was discovered murdered weeks after he was reported missing from Srirangapatna taluk in Mandya. He had gone to perform rituals on March 6 and never returned. His belongings and motorcycle were found near a canal, initially suggesting an accident.
However, the investigation led by SP V J Shobharani uncovered a conspiracy involving the victim's wife, Shalini, 32, and her alleged lover, M C Harisha, 33. Police believe the priest's confrontation of their illicit relationship prompted the murder. On the day of his disappearance, Shalini allegedly alerted Harisha, who, with accomplices M R Santosh Kumar, 29, and B R Ganesh, 29, intercepted and fatally assaulted Siddalingappa.
The accused reportedly dumped the body and motorcycle into the canal to conceal the crime, even attending the funeral to evade suspicion. Technical evidence and interrogations led to the arrest of the four suspects, who have been produced in court.
