Bengaluru Techie Murdered by Teen Neighbour After Rejecting Advances, Flat Set on Fire to Destroy Evidence

Bangalore Mail Crime Bureau

Bangalore | January 12

What initially appeared to be a tragic fire accident in a Bengaluru apartment has now been confirmed as a cold-blooded murder, following a detailed police investigation. An 18-year-old neighbour has been arrested for allegedly killing a woman software professional and setting her flat on fire to conceal the crime, police said on Sunday.

The victim, 34-year-old Sharmila, a software engineer residing in Subramanya Layout of Ramamurthy Nagar, was found dead on January 3 after a fire broke out in her rented apartment. Firefighters who rushed to the spot initially suspected death due to smoke inhalation, and the incident was first treated as an accidental blaze.

However, inconsistencies in the scene and post-mortem findings raised serious doubts. Forensic examination revealed injuries that were not consistent with an accidental fire, prompting investigators to reclassify the case as homicide.

Following sustained questioning and analysis of digital and physical evidence, police arrested Karnal Kurai, an 18-year-old pre-university student living in the neighbouring flat. Investigators revealed that the accused had allegedly developed a one-sided obsession with the victim.

According to the police, the accused entered the victim’s flat through a sliding window on the evening of the incident when she was alone. He allegedly made unwanted sexual advances and, when she resisted, covered her mouth and nose, causing her to lose consciousness and eventually suffocate.

In an attempt to destroy evidence and mislead investigators, the accused is said to have gathered clothes and other items inside the flat and set them on fire before fleeing the scene. The fire spread rapidly, giving the impression of an accidental death.

The accused has been booked under multiple sections of the law, including murder and destruction of evidence, and has been remanded to police custody for further interrogation.

Sharmila, originally from Mangaluru, worked with a leading IT firm in Bengaluru. The case has sparked widespread concern among residents and renewed discussions around women’s safety in urban residential complexes.