Woman killed after lover allegedly detonates explosive in her mouth

 

By Sumesh Rajan | August 26, 2025

Mysuru, Karnataka, INDIA: In a gruesome and shocking crime that has left Karnataka stunned, a 22-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his girlfriend by stuffing an explosive device into her mouth and detonating it at a lodge in Bherya village, Saligrama taluk, Mysuru district. The accused, identified as Siddaraju of Bettadapura village in Periyapatna taluk, initially attempted to pass off the killing as a mobile phone explosion but was caught after hotel staff and police found inconsistencies in his claims.

The victim has been identified as Rakshitha alias Darshitha (20), a resident of Gerasanahalli village in Hunsur taluk. She was married for 10 years to A P Subhash, from Kerala and a Dubai-based bus driver, and the couple has a two-year-old daughter.

The Crime

According to police, Rakshitha and Siddaraju, who is also a distant relative and with whom she had been in a relationship for nearly seven years, checked into the lodge around 2:45 pm on August 23 after visiting a temple in Kappadi.

Investigators believe that after an argument, Siddaraju forced a gelatine stick—commonly used in quarry blasting—into her mouth and detonated it using electric wires. Rakshitha died instantly, with severe facial and oral injuries.

Following the explosion, Siddaraju reportedly raised an alarm claiming that Rakshitha had died due to a mobile phone blast. However, staff at the lodge grew suspicious when they found no mobile debris in the room. Upon questioning, Siddaraju gave contradictory statements, claiming he had thrown the phone out of the window. A search of the area yielded no device.

Sensing foul play, the lodge staff detained him and informed the police. Officers from Saligrama Police Station, along with forensic experts, rushed to the spot and later confirmed that an explosive substance had been used. Electric wires were also recovered from the room.

Investigation and Arrest

ASP Mallik and CPI Shashikumar confirmed that forensic teams are examining the explosive remains. “Prima facie, the woman was murdered by blasting a gelatine piece inside her mouth. The accused later misled by saying it was a mobile phone explosion,” CPI Shashikumar said.

Police said Siddaraju tried to flee but was overpowered by locals and handed over to the authorities. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime.

A senior officer revealed that the murder was likely premeditated. Siddaraju, who worked as a salesman in a hardware shop, allegedly used his knowledge of quarry explosives to assemble the device. Investigators suspect he had prepared the crude explosive almost a month in advance, using parts from an old mobile charger.

Motive Behind the Killing

According to police sources, the relationship between Rakshitha and Siddaraju had soured over the last five years. Rakshitha had reportedly lent him ₹80,000 and was pressuring him to return the money. She was also planning to join her husband in Dubai soon, which allegedly angered Siddaraju and pushed him to plan the murder.

A Twist in the Case: Theft Complaint in Kerala

Adding another dimension to the case, the Irikkur Police in Kannur, Kerala, registered a theft complaint against Rakshitha a day before her murder. On August 22, her mother-in-law filed a complaint alleging that 30 sovereigns of gold and ₹4 lakh in cash had gone missing from their house.

According to police, Rakshitha left her in-laws’ home that morning, saying she was visiting her maternal home near Hunsur, but did not return. She was later traced to Mysuru, where she was killed.

Officers said it is unclear whether Rakshitha was directly involved in the theft, but she remains a suspect. No further arrests have been made in that case.

The Mysuru police have registered a case under Section 103 (Murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Siddaraju. He remains in custody as investigations continue.

Forensic experts are also working to confirm the type of explosive used and reconstruct the sequence of the crime.