Real Estate Entrepreneur Murdered in Bengaluru: Wife and Mother-in-Law Arrested

 Bengaluru: In a shocking case of premeditated murder, a 37-year-old real estate entrepreneur, Loknath Singh, was brutally killed last week, allegedly by his wife and mother-in-law. The crime came to light on Saturday when residents of Chikkabanavara discovered his lifeless body inside an abandoned car.

According to police reports, two women—Hema Bai (37) and her daughter Yashasvini Singh (19)—have been taken into custody in connection with the murder. Preliminary investigations indicate that the accused laced Loknath’s food with sedatives, rendering him unconscious, before taking him to a secluded location where they fatally slit his throat. Authorities suspect that the murder was driven by Loknath’s alleged extramarital affairs and involvement in illicit business dealings.

A Troubled Marriage and Rising Tensions

Loknath had married Yashasvini four months ago against her parents' wishes while under investigation by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch for a fraud case. Reports suggest that since September 2023, he had been threatening and blackmailing Yashasvini’s family to force them into accepting the marriage.

Post-marriage, their relationship quickly soured, with Yashasvini reportedly facing harassment and abuse whenever she refused to comply with his demands. Shocking allegations have surfaced that Loknath pressured her to convince her mother to engage in a physical relationship with him. Unable to tolerate the abuse, Yashasvini left him and returned to her parents' home.

However, Loknath continued to intimidate her family, issuing threats to her father, Krishna Singh, and other relatives. This persistent harassment allegedly drove Yashasvini and her mother to plot his murder.

The Murder Plot and Execution

On the morning of the murder, Loknath contacted Yashasvini, informing her that he would be meeting her. At around 10 a.m., he left home in his SUV, bringing beer along in anticipation of a reunion. Meanwhile, Yashasvini prepared a meal laced with sedatives, which she carried to their meeting spot in BGS Layout.

Once inside the vehicle, the couple consumed beer while she convinced Loknath to eat the drugged food. As he began to lose consciousness, she alerted her mother to their location. Moments later, Hema Bai arrived with a knife and attacked Loknath, stabbing him twice in the neck.

Despite his injuries, Loknath managed to escape from the vehicle and ran nearly 150 meters, seeking refuge in a parked autorickshaw. However, he succumbed to his wounds before help could arrive. Alarmed by his cries, bystanders discovered his body and promptly informed the police.

Both Yashasvini and her mother have since been taken into custody, and further investigations are underway. Authorities continue to probe deeper into Loknath’s background, examining his criminal history and the events leading up to the murder.