- By Deeksha Gour
- Mon, 12 Jan 2026 08:14 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bengaluru News: An 18-year-old boy has been arrested by Bengaluru police for killing a 34-year-old software engineer after she rejected his sexual advances. The crime initially appeared to be a fire accident but was later found to be a case of murder followed by arson to destroy evidence.
The victim, Sharmila D K, was found dead in her apartment in eastern Bengaluru late on January 3. A fire broke out at her flat between 10.15 PM and 10.45 PM and firefighters recovered her charred body after dousing the flames. At first, investigators suspected an electrical short circuit, as the fire had started in a bedroom that belonged to her roommate, who had been away in Assam since mid-November.
However, suspicion grew after one of Sharmila’s friends raised concerns. The Ramamurthy Nagar police registered a case of unnatural death and ordered a detailed investigation. A post-mortem examination, along with forensic and Scene of Crime Officers’ findings, ruled out an accidental fire.
The Deccan Herald report cited Police as stating that the autopsy showed that Sharmila died due to suffocation. Evidence collected from the flat pointed to arson. Based on technical and forensic clues, investigators arrested Karnal Kurai, a PUC student who lived in the same building and was known to the victim.
According to police, the accused entered Sharmila’s flat through a sliding window around 9 PM on January 3. He allegedly demanded sexual favours and when she resisted, he held her mouth and nose tightly, causing her to lose consciousness. Police said she suffered injuries during the struggle.
Investigators said the accused then moved to the vacant bedroom, collected clothes and other materials from the flat and set them on fire to destroy evidence. He allegedly fled the scene after taking Sharmila’s mobile phone.
Sharmila, who was unmarried, hailed from Dakshina Kannada and worked at a leading technology firm in Bengaluru. The accused, a native of Kodagu district, lives with his single mother in the city.
Police arrested him from his residence on January 10 and obtained three days of custody for further questioning. He has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges related to murder, sexual assault and destruction of evidence. Further investigation is ongoing.