A 22-year-old woman, identified as Bhavani S, was discovered deceased in her rented accommodation in Bengaluru on June 13. Her alleged lover, Chandan alias Chandrashekhar, was found unconscious after consuming poison, which police suspect may have been intended to stage a suicide attempt. Bhavani, a BSc graduate employed at a mobile phone showroom, had been living in western Bengaluru and reportedly maintained a secret relationship with Chandrashekhar.

Authorities have apprehended Chandrashekhar, who survived the poisoning and is currently receiving treatment in hospital. Investigators reported that the couple had been involved in a relationship for several years and allegedly entered into a clandestine marriage roughly a year ago, without the knowledge of their families.

Chandrashekhar, already married with a six-year-old child, presents a complicated scenario for investigators. The emergence of the case stemmed from Bhavani’s family noticing a photograph of her alongside Chandrashekhar posted on her Instagram account, allegedly celebrating their supposed first wedding anniversary.

Circumstances Leading to Discovery

The situation escalated when Bhavani’s relatives became concerned after receiving no response to their calls. Her father subsequently reached out to the landlord, requesting a welfare check. When the landlord and neighbours gained entry to the property, they discovered Bhavani’s lifeless body inside the locked house, while Chandrashekhar was found unconscious nearby.

Bhavani’s father revealed in a complaint that the family had recently begun preparations for Bhavani’s marriage, with plans for her engagement set to take place the following week. Investigators theorise that Bhavani may have informed Chandrashekhar about these impending plans, potentially sparking a confrontation between them.

Initial investigations suggest that Chandrashekhar allegedly convinced Bhavani to take poison with him, leading to a dual attempt at suicide. However, when Bhavani vomited and survived, investigators suspect that he strangled her before ingesting more poison himself.

Ongoing Investigation and Community Reactions

Authorities are currently exploring whether the suspect attempted to present the death as a suicide, facilitated by poisoning. Reports indicate that an Instagram story, allegedly uploaded from Bhavani’s account shortly before the incident came to light, may be a critical piece of evidence.

A strong odour of poison was reportedly detected in the room, prompting police to send Bhavani’s body for a post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, Chandrashekhar remains in police custody following medical treatment. A murder case has been officially lodged, and further investigative work is underway.

Police are awaiting forensic and medical reports to clarify the sequence of events and determine if a suicide pact turned lethal or if the incident was a premeditated murder. Neighbours reported that the couple had cohabited for nearly a year, presenting themselves as husband and wife, and expressed surprise at the lack of visible issues between them.

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