Telangana businessman’s burnt body found in Karnataka, three arrested for murder

A 29-year-old woman, Niharika, has been arrested along with her lover Nikhil and accomplice Ankur for the alleged murder of her husband Ramesh, following his refusal to give her Rs 8 crore.
On October 8, police discovered a charred body in a coffee plantation in Karnataka’s Kodagu district. The identity of the victim was initially unknown, prompting authorities to investigate further.
They reviewed CCTV footage from the area and focused on a red Mercedes that was registered in Ramesh’s name. The vehicle became a crucial piece of evidence in linking the suspects to the crime.
A police official revealed that forensic examinations indicated the body had been burned three-four days before the missing person report was filed by Niharika.
As the investigation progressed, it was determined that Ramesh was murdered on October 1 in Uppal, Hyderabad. Niharika had reportedly demanded Rs 8 crore from Ramesh, a sum he refused to give.
This refusal incited her to conspire with Nikhil and Ankur to commit the murder.
Police said the accused killed Ramesh in Hyderabad, after which they travelled in his car to his apartment, where they allegedly stole cash and property documents.
Following the murder, the suspects travelled over 800 kilometres to dispose of his body in Kodagu. They stopped for fuel along the way, and upon reaching the coffee estate, they covered the body with a blanket and set it ablaze.
After disposing of the evidence, Niharika filed a missing person report for her husband, attempting to divert suspicion from herself.
The official explained the complexities faced during the investigation: “Our crime team began investigating suspicious activities in the area.”
Police examined footage from over 500 CCTV cameras to track the vehicle and ultimately linked it back to Ramesh, leading to the arrests. Notably, Niharika was previously arrested in Haryana in connection with a financial fraud.
After her release, Niharika married Ramesh, in a second marriage for both individuals. Soon after their marriage, Niharika demanded Rs 8 crore from Ramesh. When he refused, she conspired with Nikhil, with whom she was in a relationship, and Ankur, the person she had met in jail.