The mysterious death of a 30-year-old woman, initially treated as an unnatural death, has now been confirmed as murder after the post-mortem examination report. The Jigani police have launched a manhunt for the prime suspect, who has been absconding since the incident.

The body of the victim, identified as Akshata Indaragi (30) from Ilkal in Bagalkote district, was found in a decomposed State on June 17 at a rented house near Patalamma Temple in Jigani, Anekal taluk. She had been staying in a house owned by municipal councillor Ramesh.”

Neighbours alerted the house owner after noticing a foul smell and finding that the house had remained locked for nearly three days. Police initially registered a case of unnatural death.

CCTV footage later revealed that Akshata’s live-in partner, identified as Nanne Saab, had left the house and gone missing after the incident. The house owner subsequently lodged a complaint expressing suspicion over her death.

The post-mortem report confirmed that Akshata had been strangled and assaulted before being murdered, prompting police to register a murder case.

During the investigation, police found that Nanne Saab was already married. They also discovered that Akshata had earlier been married to Krishna Indargi and had two children from that marriage. According to investigators, Akshata left her husband and children around six months ago after developing a relationship with Nanne Saab while working in the saree-weaving industry in Ilkal. The couple later moved to Jigani in search of garment factory jobs and lived together in the rented house.

Following the murder case coming to light, members of a Hindutva outfit staged a protest outside the Jigani police station, alleging that the accused had lured a Hindu woman into a relationship and later murdered her. They demanded his immediate arrest and strict legal action. The police said efforts are underway to trace and arrest the absconding accused.