Bus conductor death case: Wife, her lover arrested

Subramanya, Aug 19: The missing case of a private bus conductor has taken a drastic turn with the cops arresting his wife and her lover.

Hariyappa Gowda (46), a private bus conduct who had gone missing was later learnt to have been killed by his wife and her lover. The duo had thrown the dead body in river Nethravathi.

Hariyappa Gowda and Rathnavathi

The cops arrested Rathnavathi and her lover Ananda from Dolpady on Sunday and produced them before Sullia Court.

On August 4, Hariyappa, a resident of Yedamangala village left to work and never returned. Hariyappa's wife had registered a missing complaint in this regard with Subramanya police.

However, Hariyappa's brother Chidananda and his wife Varija had filed a complaint to the higher ups raising apprehension over the death, hinting that it was a murder.

Investigation was held and on Sunday the police nabbed Rathnavathi and her lover Anand.

Suspicious suicide note

A suicide note penned down by Hariyappa stating that he was ending his life due to debts fuelled suspicion. The letter which was found by Sullia Circle Inspector Sudarshan stated," I am unable to repay the debts and hence I am ending my life. Do not try to find me. "

There was a lot of difference between Hariyappa's handwriting and the writing in the note. The police interrogated Hariyappa's wife, who revealed the truth finally.

Sundara

The Hariyappa-Rathnavathi couple has three children-two sons and one daughter.

Hariyappa had been a bus conductor since 10 years and he used to visit home only during holidays. However, this time he came home three-months ago and did not return to duty. This created problem to Rathnavathi who had developed an illicit relationship.

Hariyappa had discovered about the relation and had even had a fist fight with Anand.

It is said that Anand made use of Hariyappa's weakness-drinks and hunting. He, through one his acquaintances named Sundara made Hariyappa get drunk and took him for hunting where he was shot dead. The body was then discarded in river Kumaradhar at Majjer. The weapon used for killing Hariyappa was hidden by the accused in the cowshed.

In this episode, the three children have been orphaned. The eldest son of Hariyappa-Rathnavathi couple is stuyding in 8th standard, while second son is in 4th standard. Daughter is four-years-old.