Birthday Invite Ends in Teacher's Tragic Death

Friend Turns Accused Killer, Say Police

A 28-year-old schoolteacher's murder in Karnataka's Mandya district is under investigation, with the arrest of a 22-year-old man reportedly in a relationship with her for the past couple of years.

Deepika V Lokesh, missing since January 20, was discovered deceased in the foothills of Melukote on Monday. Both Deepika and the accused, Nitish, hailed from Manikyanahalli in Pandavapura taluk.

According to a police officer, Deepika, married to Lokesh and a mother of an eight-year-old son, had been in a relationship with Nitish for a couple of years. Recently, a rift developed between them, leading to Deepika avoiding Nitish's calls.

Lokesh, aware of Deepika's relationship with Nitish, had cautioned him not to communicate with his wife 15 days ago, as revealed by the police. Village elders also advised Nitish to adhere to this warning.

On Nitish's birthday on January 20, he purportedly called Deepika to Melukote for celebration. Despite her arrival, Deepika informed Nitish that she would no longer meet him. The police officer stated that upset over this, Nitish allegedly killed Deepika and buried her body at the location.

Nitish, who had fled after Deepika's body was found, was apprehended near Hospet in Vijayanagar district, as informed by Mandya Superintendent of Police N. Yatish to The Indian Express.