Karkala: A detailed investigation into the murder of Balakrishna Poojary, a resident of Depputte in Ajekar, has revealed a chilling premeditated act by his wife, Prathima, with the alleged involvement of her lover, Dileep Hegde (28). Reports indicate that Prathima remained awake all night, actively planning her husband’s murder, while she showed minimal concern during his hospital stays over the past several weeks.
Minimal Attention During Hospitalization
A Sinister Plot
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Balakrishna, aged 44, was treated in seven hospitals across Karkala, Manipal, Mangaluru, and Bengaluru due to critical health issues. During these treatments, Prathima, aged 38, was reportedly often present but lacked any involvement in his care.
According to Balakrishna’s aunt, she took on the role of caregiver while Prathima was mostly occupied on her phone, spending little time by her husband’s side. Observers noted that Prathima was only sporadically present at the hospital and typically kept herself busy with calls or chats, barely tending to Balakrishna’s needs.
However, on the night of October 19, when Balakrishna was discharged from the hospital and brought home, Prathima remained awake throughout the night as part of a pre-planned scheme with her lover.
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Balakrishna was discharged from a hospital in Bengaluru on October 19 after significant recovery. He reached home at 8 PM that night, where several relatives had gathered to welcome him. Prathima’s brother, Sandeep, also stayed with the family until late at night.
Following this, Prathima gradually encouraged other family members to leave, including Balakrishna’s aunt and her children, whom she convinced to return to their own home nearby. Once alone, she arranged for Dileep to come to her house later that night.
The Arrival of the Lover
Around 1:30 AM, Dileep arrived at Prathima’s home, leaving his scooter about 100 meters away to avoid detection. Once inside, Prathima instructed him to hide in the bathroom, anticipating that no one would check there during the night. Together, the two waited until Balakrishna fell into a deep sleep, before carrying out their planned attack.
The Gruesome Act
Around 2:30 AM, with Balakrishna asleep, Dileep held a pillow over his face while Prathima restrained his chest and legs, ensuring he couldn’t struggle. They continued until they confirmed his death and then Dileep left the scene.
Soon after, around 3 AM, Prathima put on an act of distress, making frantic calls to her family and wailing loudly to alert them to Balakrishna’s ‘sudden’ death. She called her in-laws and brother, giving them no details but urgently asking for their presence, adding to the illusion of an accidental death.
Questionable Explanation and Suspicions Arise
When relatives arrived, Prathima’s brother, Sandeep, noticed a red mark near Balakrishna’s face and scratch marks on his neck, raising his suspicions. Prathima claimed these marks were from a water bottle she threw in frustration when her husband failed to respond to her efforts to help him. She added that any scratches on his neck were accidental.
Children’s Resistance to Living with Their Mother
It was also noted that Prathima’s two children had been reluctant to stay with her for the past two or three months. This unease reportedly began after Balakrishna had previously warned Prathima to stay away from Dileep, whom he had seen with her on multiple occasions. Sandeep was also informed about these encounters, and the matter even reached the police, resulting in a settlement agreement.
Confession and the Uncovering of the Plot
The entire plot came to light through Sandeep’s suspicions. He encouraged Balakrishna’s family to report the incident to the police and seek a post-mortem, even after Prathima initially attempted to dissuade them. Under interrogation on Friday, Prathima confessed to her involvement, which Sandeep recorded and later shared with the police.
Poison Purchased in Udupi and Other Evidence
During the investigation, it was revealed that Dileep had purchased poison in Udupi as part of their earlier plans to kill Balakrishna. The police confiscated Dileep’s mobile phone, scooter, and car, and collected additional information from the shop where he bought the poison. The post-mortem report is awaited to confirm the cause of death.
This case has sent shockwaves through the community, especially given Balakrishna’s bond with his brother-in-law, Sandeep. According to community sources, Sandeep described his brother-in-law as ‘a gem of a person’—words that have since gone viral on social media, further emphasizing the betrayal Balakrishna faced in his final days.