Imtiyaz Ahmed and Lakshmi, both government school teachers in Karnataka, married secretly in 2011 despite religious differences. Lakshmi was later transferred to Bhadravati to care for her ill mother, while Imtiyaz remained in Kalaburagi until his transfer in 2016. During this separation, Lakshmi rekindled a childhood relationship with Krishnamurthy. After Imtiyaz's transfer to Bhadravati, Lakshmi and Krishnamurthy conspired to kill him to remove obstacles to their relationship. On July 7, 2016, Lakshmi drugged Imtiyaz, and Krishnamurthy fatally attacked him with a hammer. They disposed of the body in the Bhadra River. Lakshmi confessed to Imtiyaz's brother, who alerted police. Investigation confirmed the murder, leading to the recovery of the body and evidence. In 2023, Lakshmi and Krishnamurthy were sentenced to death, with the cousin who helped dispose of the body sentenced to seven years. The case remains under appeal in the High Court.
Country: India
State/Province: Karnataka, India
City/Region: Bhadravati
Incident Type: Domestic Violence Homicide
Relationship Status: Married
Relationship Duration: Approximately 5 years (marriage)
Incident Date: July 7, 2016
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
Contributing Factors:
Red Flags:
Motives:
Relationship Outcomes:
How the relationship or connection began.
Approximately 5 years (marriage)
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2016-07-07
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Crime Tak - India · Original language: English
EP 2054: एक क़ातिल जो सच बोल कर पुलिस से बचना चाहती थी और उसने सचमुच क़त्ल की बात बता दी
Infidelity
The case involves a married couple from different religions who initially hid their marriage from families. Separation due to job transfers led to rekindling of a childhood relationship by the wife with another man. The wife's extramarital affair escalated to a conspiracy to murder her husband to remove obstacles to their relationship, demonstrating infidelity and domestic conflict patterns.
The investigation was initiated after Lakshmi's confession to Imtiyaz's brother, who alerted police. Police verified Imtiyaz's disappearance, analyzed call records revealing late-night communication between Lakshmi and Krishnamurthy, and interrogated suspects. Confessions, forensic evidence, and witness statements corroborated the murder. The body was recovered from the Bhadra River. The court sentenced Lakshmi and Krishnamurthy to death, with the cousin receiving a seven-year sentence. Appeals are pending.
Initial confusion existed about Imtiyaz's status as missing or dead, complicated by lack of a missing person report and no immediate evidence of murder. The confession to a family member before police involvement was unusual and initially met with skepticism.
Imtiyaz and Lakshmi married secretly in 2011. Lakshmi transferred to Bhadravati in 2014 to care for her ill mother, while Imtiyaz remained in Kalaburagi. During separation, Lakshmi rekindled a relationship with Krishnamurthy. Imtiyaz's transfer to Bhadravati in 2016 brought him home permanently, restricting Lakshmi's meetings with Krishnamurthy. The couple conspired to kill Imtiyaz by drugging him and having Krishnamurthy fatally attack him with a hammer on July 7, 2016. They disposed of the body in the Bhadra River. Lakshmi confessed to Imtiyaz's brother, who reported to police. Investigation confirmed the murder, leading to arrests, evidence collection, and eventual sentencing.
High risk due to extramarital affair, prolonged separation, and escalating conflict culminating in premeditated homicide.
Separation and prolonged physical distance can increase risk of extramarital affairs and domestic violence. Secret relationships and concealment of marriage can complicate family dynamics. Early confession to family members may not prevent legal consequences. Use of technology (call records, chats) is critical in modern investigations. Premeditated murder involving intimate partners often involves complex emotional and relational motives.
The rekindling of a childhood friendship into a secret affair during prolonged separation and the husband's transfer triggering conflict were early signals.
Late-night WhatsApp chats and calls between Lakshmi and Krishnamurthy, and the confession call to Imtiyaz's brother helped connect the case.
Confessions, forensic reports, recovered murder weapon, call detail records, witness statements, and body recovery were strongest evidence types.
Imtiyaz's mother-in-law confirmed his last presence and unusual absence. Imtiyaz's brother reported the confession. Police and neighbors provided information on relationships. Witnesses confirmed the affair and conflicts.
Follow-up reports revealed the confession, arrest, recovery of the body, forensic evidence, and court sentencing. No further updates on High Court appeal are available.
The final outcome of the High Court appeal remains unclear.