Bengaluru man murders wife, hides in suitcase and flees to Pune; arrested by police

Bengaluru police have arrested a man accused of murdering his wife, stuffing her body into a suitcase, and fleeing to Pune. The suspect, identified as Rakesh from Maharashtra, was traced using Call Detail Records (CDR) and taken into custody by Satara police.

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Authorities found Rakesh unconscious inside a car in Satara’s Pargaon Khandala after he allegedly consumed a poisonous substance. He was immediately hospitalized and is currently undergoing treatment. The crime came to light when Rakesh reportedly called his wife's parents and confessed to the murder.  

The victim, 32-year-old Gauri Anil Sambekar, held a degree in mass media and communication but was unemployed and staying at home. Rakesh, a project manager at Hitachi, and Gauri had been living in Doddakannahalli under Hulimavu police station limits for the past two months. According to police sources, the couple frequently argued, and there were reports of Gauri physically assaulting Rakesh during disputes.  

On March 26, an argument escalated into violence, leading Rakesh to fatally stab Gauri in the stomach and slit her throat. He then placed her body inside a suitcase and left it in the bathroom before fleeing to Pune.  

The police stated that they initially received a call around 5:30 pm regarding a suspected case of hanging. Upon arrival, Hulimavu police found the house locked. After gaining entry, they discovered a suitcase in the bathroom. Upon opening it, forensic experts found Gauri’s body with multiple injuries.  

Authorities launched a search for Rakesh, who was missing at the time. Investigators tracked his movements using CDR and informed Pune police, leading to his arrest. A team from Hulimavu police has traveled to Pune to bring him back to Bengaluru for further questioning.  

The police further clarified that the body was not dismembered and remained intact. The exact nature of the injuries will be confirmed following a postmortem examination.  

The case remains under investigation as police work to uncover further details.