Beltangady: The investigation into the sudden death of Harish (44) at Panjalbail near Venoor here on the night of Friday June 20 has revealed that he was allegedly killed by his wife Prashantini (21).

Prashantini was arrested after questioning. It is said that both Harish and Prashantini were drunk on the night of June 20 and got into quarrel, resulting in the tragedy.

44-year-old Harish Naik and his 21-year-old wife Prashantini stayed in a rented house at Panjalbail. Both of them were alcoholic, and on Friday night, the inebriated couple got into quarrel. When Harish pulled Prashantini’s hair, she pushed him hard against a wall. She then held him by the neck, and allegedly strangled him to death by putting a thin rope around him, it is said.

Prashantini, seeing that her husband had stopped breathing, locked the house and went to his sister Sharada’s house and told her that her husband did not get up after falling asleep due to drunkenness. Sharada at once went to check on her brother, but did not find anything suspicious. A doctor was called and Harish’s death was confirmed.

Sharada then went to the police station to report the death. Venoor SI Khader and other police personnel who inspected the spot grew suspcious, especially on noticing a wound on Harish’s neck and a rope nearby. Circle inspector Lingappa Poojary then arrived at the spot, and after investigation, the murder came to light. The family members were unaware of what had occured, and Prashantini herself feigned ignorance and sat crying with her child on her lap.

Prashantini failed to give any satisfactory explaination to the police regarding the rope. Suspecting foul play, the police took her for questioning and later arrested her.

Harish was an electrician and hailed from Delampuri of Karimanelu. He had married Prashantini from Bajagoli about six years ago when Prashantini was still a minor, but their marriage was registered after she turned 18 and they were living in a rented house. It is said that though they were happy, he had time and again grown suspicious about her fidelity. The couple have a one-and-half-year-old daughter.

Venoor police registered a case based on a complaint filed by Harish’s sister Sharada.

Prashantini was later produced in court. Another person who had been taken for questioning was released after it was confirmed that he had no role to play in the murder.