Karnataka’s Kodagu district has become the focus of a chilling murder investigation following the discovery of a charred body in a coffee plantation three weeks ago. The victim, identified as Ramesh, a 54-year-old businessman, had been reported missing prior to the grim find. Authorities have arrested his wife, Niharika, her lover Nikhil, and another accomplice, Ankur, in connection with the murder, which they orchestrated to secure Ramesh’s wealth.
Discovery of the Body
On October 8, local police unearthed the burnt remains of a body at a coffee estate near Suntikoppa. Initial identification attempts were unsuccessful, prompting investigators to delve into nearby CCTV footage to trace the movements of vehicles in the vicinity. Their efforts led them to a red Mercedes Benz linked to Ramesh, whose wife had recently filed a missing person report. Subsequent inquiries were made with authorities in Telangana, where the vehicle was registered.
Investigation Unfolds
As the investigation deepened, police began to focus on Niharika P, 29. Upon her arrest, she confessed to her involvement in the murder and named Nikhil, a veterinary doctor, and Ankur as her accomplices. The investigation revealed that Niharika had a troubled past; she lost her father at 16, faced familial upheaval, and eventually became entangled in financial fraud that led to her incarceration, where she met Ankur.
Motive Behind the Murder
After her release from prison, Niharika entered into a second marriage with Ramesh, who provided her with a lavish lifestyle. However, tensions arose when Niharika demanded ₹8 crore from Ramesh, a request he refused. Enraged, she plotted his murder alongside Nikhil and Ankur. On October 1, the trio choked Ramesh to death in Uppal, Hyderabad, before returning to Niharika’s residence to collect cash. They then journeyed over 800 km to Kodagu, where they disposed of Ramesh’s body, covering it with a blanket and setting it ablaze before returning to Hyderabad.
Police Statement
Kodagu police chief Ramarajan described the case as particularly challenging due to the destruction of evidence. He noted that forensic examinations indicated the body had been burned three to four days before the missing person report was filed. Investigators tracked suspicious vehicle movements in the area during the early hours of the morning and meticulously reviewed footage from over 500 CCTV cameras leading up to Tumkur, ultimately identifying Ramesh’s vehicle.
Ramarajan confirmed, “Based on our investigation, we have arrested several suspects, including Niharika and Nikhil, who is 28 years old. Niharika is the prime suspect, and it is alleged that she, along with Nikhil and Ankur, conspired to murder Ramesh and dispose of his body.”
This shocking case highlights the dark underbelly of personal betrayal and greed, as authorities continue to unravel the complexities surrounding Ramesh’s tragic fate.