Bengaluru, June 18, 2025:
After allegedly killing his girlfriend over the weekend in a wooded area close to Ponda, Goa, a young Bengaluru man is currently being held by the police.
According to the authorities, he ran away. The 32 year old victim, who lives in Bengaluru, went with her boyfriend to Goa on what was allegedly a trip to "marry" her. But according to Goa Police officials, the excursion turned deadly in a dense forest, where she was discovered with her throat slit. With the help of a digital trail, investigators were able to locate the suspect in Hubballi.
Superintendent Manoj Deshpande, the head of Ponda police, claimed that a UPI transaction he made following the murder brought him directly to the attention of the authorities. "A UPI transaction helped us," Deshpande told.
In accordance with section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, local police have filed a first information report for murder. According to senior officers, the accused turned himself in when he realized he was being pursued. On Saturday night, a forensic team found the victim's body in the forest. According to the autopsy report, multiple sharp force injuries and a slit throat were the cause of death.
Digital evidence was also gathered by forensics from the accused's devices and the victim's phone. According to the police, the couple had been dating for more than a year when the man enticed her to Goa with the promise of marriage. According to the FIR, "it seems the prearranged visit was to claim legitimate reasons."
Superintendent Deshpande went on to say that there was no sign of robbery because personal belongings were unharmed, suggesting a personal motive. Authorities are looking into potential marital discord or a fallout from a forced marriage; the accused is reportedly married. Today, the accused is anticipated to appear before a Ponda magistrate, and custody pleas are probably going to follow. While the central investigation is ongoing, Bengaluru Police are working with Goa authorities. Counselors have been sent to Bengaluru to support the victim's family in the interim.
The case has spurred discussion about how vulnerable women are when traveling with partners and how crucial it is to confirm intentions before visiting remote locations. Advocates have urged young women to be more aware of their safety. The tragic results of misplaced trust are highlighted by this incident. Families and communities await justice as court proceedings get underway in a case involving a hopeful marriage that ended tragically.