PONDA: Can a husband kill his wife in cold blood and write “I love you” all over the pillow after committing the heinous crime?
Well, that’s exactly what twenty-five-year-old Atish Naik of Gaunem seems to have done after suffocating his twenty-one-year-old wife, Tanuja with the help of a pillow on Monday afternoon, ending their love marriage with ultimate hate.
Atish is said to have written “Rest in Peace, Love U” on the pillow with her lipstick, before making good his escape, telling his aunt that he was going out to fetch lunch.
What’s more, Atish’s aunt too did not find anything fishy till late evening, when the victim failed to answer her, after which she called the police.
Strained relation for the past two weeks between the couple, who were married for barely two years, besides the doubting nature of Atish, coupled with his psychopathic traits could be among the reason for the gruesome act.
The accused has been remanded to eight-day police custody, after being produced before Ponda JMFC. A case of murder has been registered against him under section 302 of IPC.
According to DySP Sunita Sawant the accused has confessed to have committed the offence, saying he fled to Karnataka after killing his wife and was apprehended on Tuesday morning at KTC bus stand, Ponda on Tuesaday.
According to the post-mortem report, the cause of murder was due to asphyxia, due to compression of organs of neck, nose and mouth.
When Ponda police reached the scene of crime at Gaunem in Bandora and unlocked the room in the presence of family and relatives, they saw Tanuja’s body lying on the bed with a pillow covering her face.
Police said the accused had an ancestral house at Gaunem and was residing at Raia, Salcete and was into catering business, while Tanuja, who was basically from Karwar, was residing nearby.
It is learnt that Tanuja, who had completed her 12th had been admitted to first year BA at Chowgule College, Gogol, just fifteen days ago, while Atish did not even complete his SSC.
It is said their relations soured about nine days ago, as there were frequent fights over trifle matters that further affected their relationship. One day there was quarrel between the two as Tanuja reached home late and on other occasions her constant talking on the phone irked her husband.
She then went to live at her mother’s house, even as the accused pleaded her to return.
Atish’s aunt Mohini Naik who resides in another portion of the house, having a common wall is said to have reported the incident to Ponda police.
According to her statement to police the couple arrived at house 8.30 am on July 3 when she heard their discussion and argument until 2 pm. It was only at 6.30 pm she got curious when Tanuja failed to respond to her calls. Suspecting foul play she called Atish’s relatives including his sister, who was married.
It is reported that the accused who fled to Karnataka after committing the crime is said to have told his brother-in-law about the incident.
