An elderly couple in the Belagavi district, Karnataka, tragically died by suicide after being defrauded of Rs 50 lakh by cybercriminals. Diyango Najarat, 83, took his life by slitting his throat, while his wife, Playviana Najarat, 79, ingested poison. They reportedly left behind a suicide note, detailing their despair and fear resulting from threats made by fraudsters posing as officials from the Delhi Crime Branch.

According to reports, the scammers first contacted the couple via video call, falsely accusing them of involvement in a criminal case. The cybercriminals claimed that the couple’s mobile number and identification had been compromised, demanding Rs 5 lakh as a settlement fee to resolve the fictitious case against them.

The retired couple, both former employees of the Maharashtra Secretariat, felt pressured and paid the amount. However, the harassment did not cease after the initial payment. The fraudsters continued to threaten them, extracting further sums until their total losses were estimated to exceed Rs 50 lakh.

Initially, the deaths were investigated as a potential murder case. However, the investigation took a significant turn after police recovered the couple’s suicide note and examined their mobile phone records. It later emerged that the couple, who had no children or immediate family, had not confided in anyone about the ongoing threats and financial extortion they had suffered.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities having accessed the couple’s bank accounts to calculate the total amount extorted. “We are still evaluating the total sum involved in this extortion case. This is a serious matter, and a detailed investigation is underway,” remarked a senior police official from Nandgad.

The tragic circumstances surrounding the couple’s deaths have drawn attention to the increasing prevalence of cybercrime and its devastating impact on vulnerable individuals. As investigations continue, police aim to track down the scammers responsible for this heartbreaking incident. The community is left in shock over the loss, mourning not only the couple’s lives but also highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness and protection against cyber fraud.

Bengaluru Police have arrested a man, Rakesh, who is accused of murdering his wife, Gauri Anil Sambekar, and concealing her body in a suitcase before fleeing to Pune. The police tracked him down using call detail records (CDR), leading Satara police to take him into custody.

Reports indicate that Rakesh ingested a poison-like substance and admitted to committing the crime, prompting his immediate hospitalization, where he is currently receiving treatment.

The disturbing details of the crime emerged when Rakesh allegedly called his wife’s parents to confess. Gauri, 32, was a mass media and communication graduate who had been unemployed and staying home while Rakesh worked as a project manager for Hitachi. The couple had moved from Maharashtra to Doddakannahalli in Bengaluru, living there for about two months.

Investigations reveal a history of frequent arguments between Rakesh and Gauri, with allegations of physical altercations on both sides. The conflict reached a tragic climax on March 26 when Rakesh allegedly stabbed Gauri multiple times and ultimately slit her throat. He then concealed her body in the suitcase and left it in the bathroom before making his escape.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) Sarah Fathima stated that the investigation began after a call was made at approximately 5:30 PM concerning a suspected hanging. Upon arriving at the locked residence, officers discovered the suitcase in the bathroom, which led them to realize a crime had occurred. The forensic team opened the suitcase and found Gauri’s body, which bore numerous injuries.

Efforts to locate Rakesh initially were unsuccessful, but law enforcement was able to track him through CDR data. Pune police were notified, resulting in his arrest. A team from Hulimavu police is en route to Pune to bring Rakesh back to Bengaluru for further questioning.

DCP Fathima noted that Gauri’s body was found intact, and the specifics of her injuries will be detailed in the forthcoming postmortem report. The investigation continues as authorities strive to uncover more information and clarify the motivations behind this tragic incident.

Six minors were apprehended after a video of them allegedly riding two-wheelers holding the Palestinian flag surfaced on social media platforms, Karnataka Police said on Monday.

According to police, the incident took place on Sunday around 1 pm on Dantaramakki road in Chikkamagaluru town in Karnataka.

The official said that three of the 6 boys were on a two-wheeler and one of the pillion rider, a 17-year-old boy was allegedly holding and waving a Palestinian flag while three of their friends followed them on another bike.

They also shouted slogans on ‘free Palestine’, according to police.

A senior police officer said that police apprehended all the six boys involved in the incident. They are all minors, he added.

The police have registered a case under appropriate sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections for disturbing communal harmony, a police officer said. Adding that both the vehicles have been seized along with the flag, according to news agency PTI.

The police found during the interrogation that the boys had watched some videos of a procession in Uttar Pradesh in which people were seen carrying Palestinian flags and so they wanted to make a similar reel on Instagram.

Speaking on the matter earlier today, former BJP national General Secretary and MLC CT Ravi alleged that without permission a rally was held yesterday in more than 20 two-wheelers and one four-wheeler holding a Palestine flag.

Ravi said: “I have got information that some influential people had tried to influence in favour of the people involved, more than 200 people came in front of the police station, so an explanation was sought and they were let go. I urged the police for a detailed probe and to destroy the network behind them, the incident should not be taken lightly.”