Bengaluru Magadi Road murder: Salem man in custody; cops say victim’s husband initially hired him to kill her

Balamurugan had planned the murder well in advance and had travelled to Salem in Tamil Nadu, where he met Moulesh at a hotel, investigators said. Balamurugan allegedly offered him Rs 1.5 lakh to murder his wife, and specifically asked that the crime be carried out at a location not covered by CCTV cameras. The police further said that a pistol was handed over to Moulesh as part of the plan.

Earlier, Girish S, the then Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), West, said, “The couple separated one and a half years ago due to a misunderstanding. Balamurugan had suspected that his wife was having an affair. While the wife was demanding legal separation, Balamurugan was not ready for it.”

Four months before the murder, Balamurugan found out that Bhuvaneshwari had moved to Cholarapalya in KP Agrahara. And he was enraged when he got a divorce notice from her.

According to sources, Moulesh told Balamurugan that the murder would require two to three days as he needed to monitor the woman’s movements. He later visited Bengaluru and conducted a recce near Bhuvaneshwari’s workplace and along her regular travel routes.

However, the plan reportedly collapsed when Moulesh returned to Tamil Nadu without informing Balamurugan and without carrying out the act. Enraged by the demand, Balamurugan allegedly decided to execute the crime himself.

The investigation further revealed that Balamurugan had procured two weapons, one of which was handed over to Moulesh, who is believed to have taken it back to Tamil Nadu. While searching for the missing weapon, the police uncovered his deeper involvement in the conspiracy.

As Moulesh was already lodged in judicial custody in Tamil Nadu in connection with a theft case, the Bengaluru police secured a warrant and transit remand to bring him to the city for further questioning.

The Magadi Road police confirmed that they have now secured Moulesh from Salem and are questioning him to ascertain his exact role in the conspiracy. Officers are investigating the source of the illegal firearms used in the crime.

Efforts are also underway to identify others who may have been approached during the accused’s search for a contract killer, including contacts made through online platforms. Further investigation is ongoing and more arrests are likely, police sources said.