A burnt body discovered in a coffee plantation in Karnataka’s Kodagu district three weeks ago has led police to uncover a chilling murder plot. Ramesh, a 54-year-old businessman who went missing weeks earlier, was allegedly murdered for his wealth by his wife Niharika, her lover Nikhil, and another accomplice, Ankur. The three accused have now been arrested.
Discovery of the Body
On October 8, police discovered a charred body at a coffee estate near Suntikoppa in Kodagu. Unable to identify the body initially, they reviewed CCTV footage from the area. A red Mercedes-Benz seen in the footage drew suspicion, as it was registered under Ramesh’s name. Recently, Ramesh’s wife, Niharika, had filed a missing person report, leading police to contact their counterparts in Telangana, where the car was registered.
Motive and Murder Plot
Niharika, who had married Ramesh after her release from jail, had been living a luxurious life provided by her husband. However, when she demanded ₹8 crore from him, Ramesh refused, which reportedly enraged her. With her lover Nikhil and accomplice Ankur, Niharika allegedly devised a plan to kill Ramesh and access his wealth.
According to the investigation, Ramesh was strangled to death on October 1 in Uppal, Hyderabad. After the murder, the trio collected cash from his residence, then drove toward Bengaluru. They made a stop for fuel and continued over 800 kilometers to Kodagu, where they disposed of the body in a coffee plantation. The body was covered with a blanket and set on fire. Upon returning to Hyderabad, Niharika reported Ramesh as missing.
The police investigation eventually pieced together the sequence of events, leading to the arrest of the accused.
About the Author
