Skeleton clue cracks year-old mystery as police arrest niece and her lover for brutal killing, robbery and destruction of evidence in a forest area
Chikkaballapura: In a chilling breakthrough, police have cracked a gruesome year-old murder case in Chikkaballapur district, where a woman was allegedly killed by her own niece for money and jewellery, and her body was later burnt with petrol to erase identity.
The victim, identified as Nunakamma (52) from Tipparayanadurga in Pavagad taluk, was traced nearly a year after her skeletal remains were discovered in a forest area, bringing closure to a case that had remained unsolved for months.
Skeleton Discovery Led to Investigation Breakthrough
The case dates back to October 19, 2025, when a human skull and bones were found in the Kuruchalu forest valley near Gouribidanur. Police recovered partially burnt clothes, a saree, and ornaments, indicating that the victim was a woman.
Despite issuing lookout notices and announcing rewards, police initially failed to establish the identity. It was only after sustained investigation that the remains were finally identified as Nunakamma.
Murder Planned Under Pretext of Medical Treatment
Investigations revealed a disturbing plot. The accused, Nunakamma’s niece Nagalakshmi (32) and her boyfriend Ashok Kumar (27), allegedly lured her on September 20 under the pretext of taking her for medical treatment.
She was taken on a bike to a remote forest location in Chikkaballapur, where she was murdered and her body dumped.
Body Burnt Days Later to Destroy Evidence
In a calculated attempt to conceal the crime, the accused reportedly returned four days later, poured petrol on the body, and set it ablaze to make identification impossible.
They then allegedly broke into the victim’s house, stole money and jewellery, and remained silent for nearly a year.
Arrests After One Year of Investigation
After months of investigation, police finally tracked and arrested both accused, who have now been remanded to judicial custody.
Officials confirmed that the case was solved through persistent forensic work, intelligence gathering, and interrogation, despite the initial lack of identity clues.
Crime Driven by Greed, Shocks Community
The case has stunned the region, highlighting a crime driven purely by greed, where familial trust was brutally betrayed.
The revelation that a niece allegedly conspired with her partner to kill her own aunt for financial gain and valuables has triggered widespread shock and outrage.
The police have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that even the most complex cases are pursued until justice is delivered, regardless of time.
