Kamal Ghorui
BENGALURU: In a chilling twist to an alleged BDSM role play, a 27-year-old woman has been arrested for murdering her boyfriend after tying him up, blindfolding him and setting him ablaze at her residence in northwest Bengaluru on Tuesday. Investigators also found that she allegedly recorded his final moments on her mobile phone.The accused, Prema, and the victim, Kiran, both 27, worked together at a mobile service provider store in Rajajinagar and had been in a relationship for nearly two years, police said. Officers suspect the killing may have been triggered by resentment after Kiran reportedly turned down her marriage proposal.
According to police, Prema called Kiran, a native of Chikkanayakanahalli in Tumakuru district, to her house in Anjananagar under Byadarahalli police station limits after her family members had left for work. Kiran, who had initially planned to travel to Nelamangala, instead went to meet her.Investigators said Prema offered him a “surprise” and what she described as “a good time”. She allegedly blindfolded him and tied his hands and legs with a rope, assuring him it was part of an act. Minutes later, she is suspected to have poured an inflammable liquid, possibly kerosene or petrol, over him and set him on fire. Unable to free himself, Kiran died on the spot.Neighbours, alerted by his screams and thick smoke billowing from the house, informed authorities. Fire and emergency services rushed to the scene. Initially, police treated the case as a suspected suicide based on Prema’s claim, but inconsistencies in her account and subsequent findings pointed to foul play.During the probe, officers found evidence suggesting the inflammable liquid had been procured in advance, indicating possible premeditation. They also seized the woman’s phone, which allegedly contains a recording of the victim’s final moments.During questioning, Prema initially claimed she was in the bathroom when she heard a loud noise. However, police said she changed her statements multiple times and later reportedly confessed.“Prima facie, it appears the accused, under the guise of a romantic interlude, restrained the victim and set him on fire. Further investigation is on,” a senior officer said.Deputy commissioner of police (North-West) Nagesh DL said investigators are still verifying the sequence of events as the accused continues to give inconsistent statements.Police are awaiting a formal complaint from the victim’s family. Kiran’s body has been shifted to Victoria Hospital for a postmortem examination.
