In a tragic incident from Karnataka's Belagavi district, a 30-year-old doctor, Dr. Renuka Santosh Honakande, was allegedly murdered by her husband and his parents due to her inability to conceive. The crime was initially portrayed as a road accident but was later revealed to be a deliberate act of murder.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on May 18, 2025. Dr. Renuka's mother-in-law, Jayashree Honakande, took her to a temple. On their return journey, Jayashree allegedly pushed Dr. Renuka off a moving two-wheeler. Following the fall, Jayashree is said to have attacked her with a stone. Subsequently, Dr. Renuka's father-in-law, Kamanna Honakande, allegedly strangled her. To mislead investigators, the duo tied Dr. Renuka's body to the bike and dragged it for over 100 meters, attempting to simulate an accident caused by her saree getting entangled in the bike's wheel.
The police were initially informed that Dr. Renuka had died in a road accident. However, discrepancies in the accounts and the nature of injuries raised suspicions. Belagavi Superintendent of Police Bhimashankar Guled noted that only Dr. Renuka had sustained injuries, while the others were unharmed, prompting further investigation.
Upon interrogation, Jayashree and Kamanna confessed to the crime, revealing that their son, Santosh Honakande, had instigated the murder due to ongoing disputes over Dr. Renuka's inability to bear children. The couple had been married for over a year, and tensions had reportedly escalated over time.
Santosh Honakande, a techie based in Bengaluru, was arrested in connection with the case. He was found unconscious on a road in Maharashtra's Satara district, having allegedly consumed a poisonous substance in an apparent suicide attempt. He was hospitalized and later taken into custody by the police.
The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder and criminal conspiracy. Further investigations are ongoing to gather more evidence and ascertain the full extent of the involvement of all accused parties.
This incident has sparked widespread outrage and brought attention to the societal pressures faced by women regarding childbearing. Authorities have emphasized the importance of addressing such deep-rooted issues and ensuring justice for the victim.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Sakshi Thakar/MSM)