A quiet neighbourhood in Devarahipparagi town of Karnataka’s Vijayapura district has been left stunned after police uncovered a chilling crime hidden for nearly a month. What first appeared to be a missing person case has now turned into a shocking murder investigation.
Police have arrested 46-year-old contractor Prabhu Ratnakar for allegedly killing his wife, Sarojini Prabhu Ratnakar (44), burying her body within their house premises, and later filing a false complaint to divert suspicion. The disturbing truth came to light 24 days after the incident, when investigators dismantled what they describe as a carefully fabricated story.
According to police officials, mounting debts had created severe strain in the household. Investigators revealed that Prabhu had borrowed money from multiple sources and was struggling to repay creditors. In an alleged attempt to manage the financial pressure, he issued cheques in his wife’s name. Trouble escalated when a cheque bounce case was registered against Sarojini in a court in Yadgir district. The legal notice reportedly intensified arguments between the couple, as Sarojini had been urging her husband to clear the debts and resolve the matter.
Police said that on the night of January 24, another heated argument broke out over unpaid loans. In a fit of rage, Prabhu allegedly struck Sarojini on the head with a chilli-pounding pestle. The blow caused severe bleeding, and she reportedly died from her injuries.
Instead of informing authorities or seeking help, investigators believe the accused tried to erase all traces of the crime. He allegedly dug a pit within the house premises and buried the body in an attempt to conceal the evidence.
Days later, on February 2, Prabhu approached the Devarahipparagi Police Station and filed a missing person complaint. He claimed his wife had stepped out to buy groceries and never returned. He told officers he had searched for her and contacted relatives but found no clue about her whereabouts.
Initially, the complaint appeared routine. However, police began to notice inconsistencies in his statements during questioning. Officers said his responses lacked clarity and changed over time, raising suspicion.
As the investigation progressed, sustained interrogation reportedly led to a breakthrough. Under questioning, Prabhu allegedly confessed to the murder. Police then exhumed the buried body from the house premises in the presence of officials and conducted a post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death. The body was later handed over to the family.
A case of murder has been registered, and further investigation is underway. Authorities are now examining financial records, cheque transactions, and court documents linked to the Yadgir cheque bounce case to establish the complete sequence of events.
The incident has left residents of Devarahipparagi in shock. Neighbours described the couple as private and said they had no indication of the turmoil inside the home. The case serves as a grim reminder of how financial distress and unresolved disputes can spiral into irreversible tragedy.
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Police officials have urged individuals facing financial or personal crises to seek lawful and peaceful solutions rather than resorting to violence. As the investigation continues, the Vijayapura murder case stands as a stark example of how deception can delay justice — but not escape it.