Bengaluru Techie Murdered, Not Fire Accident: Teen Neighbour Strangled Her, Say Police

What was initially believed to be a tragic case of death caused by a residential fire has now been confirmed as a cold-blooded murder, Bengaluru police said on Monday. Investigators revealed that the 34-year-old software professional found dead in her apartment earlier this month was strangled to death by her teenage neighbour, who later set the house on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence.

The victim, identified as Sharmila, was living alone in a rented flat located in the Subramanya Layout area of Ramamurthy Nagar in east Bengaluru. Her body was discovered on January 3, after neighbours alerted authorities about a fire that had broken out inside her apartment. Initial assessments suggested she may have died due to smoke inhalation or suffocation, prompting police to treat the case as a suspected accidental death.

However, a deeper forensic examination and sustained investigation revealed inconsistencies that led police to reopen the case as a potential homicide.

According to investigators, the accused is an 18-year-old pre-university student from Kerala, who lived in a house directly opposite Sharmila’s apartment. Police said the teenager was allegedly obsessed with the victim and harboured one-sided romantic feelings, which she did not reciprocate.

On the night of the incident, the accused allegedly entered Sharmila’s apartment by sliding open the balcony window. Police said that after gaining entry, he behaved inappropriately and attempted to physically engage with her. When Sharmila resisted and tried to break free, the accused reportedly struck her on the neck, causing her to lose consciousness.

Investigators said the teenager then strangled Sharmila to death, confirming that she was already dead before the fire broke out. To mislead authorities and erase forensic traces, the accused allegedly set fire to the bedroom, which later spread to other parts of the apartment.

“The fire was deliberately started after the murder to make it appear like an accidental death,” police said, adding that burn patterns and forensic evidence confirmed the sequence of events.

During questioning, police learned that Sharmila and the accused were known to each other. Neighbours told investigators that she occasionally spoke to the teenager but had never encouraged any personal relationship. Officers said the accused’s growing obsession and inability to accept rejection culminated in the crime.

The accused has been arrested and produced before a court, which granted three days of police custody to allow further questioning and reconstruction of the crime scene. Investigators are now collecting additional forensic evidence, including digital records and surveillance footage, to strengthen the case.

Police officials said the case highlights the dangers of unchecked obsession and stressed the importance of community awareness and safety measures, particularly for individuals living alone in urban areas.

The investigation is ongoing.