Chikkaballapur, June 29 (IANS) A young woman was found dead under mysterious circumstances at a homestay near Muddenahalli in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapur district, while her boyfriend, identified as Sanjeet Ali, was found unconscious and has been admitted to a hospital, police said.

Police have launched an investigation and are yet to determine whether the case is one of murder, suicide or poisoning.

According to the police, the incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Nandi Police Station. Preliminary investigation revealed that the couple had been staying at the homestay for the past three days.

Investigators found a rope, several tablets, signs of vomiting and a pillow inside the room. However, there were no visible external injuries or blood-related injuries on the woman’s body, making it difficult to ascertain the cause of death at this stage.

Police said the exact cause of death will be known only after the post-mortem examination and forensic analysis. Officials are also waiting for Sanjeet Ali to regain consciousness so that his statement can be recorded.

Speaking to reporters, Chikkaballapur Superintendent of Police Kushal Chowksi said it was too early to conclude whether the incident was a case of murder or suicide.

He stated that it was not yet clear whether this was a case of suicide or murder. Since there were no visible external injuries or blood-related injuries on the woman’s body, they could not say whether she was murdered, poisoned, or died by suicide. A rope was found inside the room, so all possibilities remained open.

The SP added that poisoning is also being considered as a possible cause, as Sanjeet Ali is currently undergoing treatment after being found unconscious. He said a large number of tablets were recovered from the room. There were also signs of vomiting, and a pillow has been seized for forensic examination. The exact cause of death can only be established after the post-mortem report.

During the investigation, police learnt that the deceased woman, a physiotherapist from Bengaluru, and Sanjeet Ali, a native of Kerala, were in a relationship. The couple had reportedly eloped in the past, following which the woman’s family had filed a missing person complaint. She had subsequently returned to her family. According to police, the woman’s family had allegedly not approved of their relationship.

Officials said the woman had reportedly come to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) campus near Muddenahalli as a volunteer four to five days ago. Police are verifying this with SAI authorities, although her family has confirmed that she had travelled there for voluntary service.

Investigators believe Sanjeet Ali learned of her presence in Chikkaballapur, booked the homestay, and the woman later went there to meet him. However, police said this sequence of events is still being verified.

Police are probing multiple angles, including whether Sanjeet Ali murdered the woman before attempting suicide, whether the couple entered into a suicide pact, or whether poisoning led to the tragedy.

The SP clarified that the case does not involve any known criminal antecedents and said further action will depend on the post-mortem findings, forensic evidence and the statement of the surviving man once his condition improves. The investigation is ongoing.

–IANS

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