Overview
- Mandya police arrested four suspects, including the victim’s wife Shalini and neighbour M C Harisha, in the death of priest Siddalingappa of Maralagalu village.
- Investigators allege the killing was planned to conceal an extramarital relationship between Shalini and Harisha.
- Police say Harisha and associates intercepted the priest near a canal, assaulted him with sticks, then dumped his body and motorcycle to mimic an accident.
- The priest went missing on March 6 after leaving for a pooja, his body was recovered from a canal sluice on March 7 with head and face injuries, and officers later noted the accused attended his funeral.
- A case has been registered under BNS sections 103(1) for murder and 238 for destroying evidence, the accused have been produced before a magistrate, and seized phones and confessions are cited as key evidence.