Bengaluru: A chilling murder case has unfolded across two states, revealing a plot driven by greed and betrayal. Niharika P, 29, along with her lover Nikhil and accomplice Ankur, has been arrested for the murder of Ramesh, a 54-year-old businessman from Hyderabad. The trio allegedly killed him after he refused to hand over ₹8 crore.
Body Found in Coffee Estate
On October 8, a burnt body was discovered in a coffee plantation near Suntikoppa, Kodagu district, Karnataka. With no immediate clues to identify the remains, police began combing through CCTV footage and spotted a suspicious red Mercedes Benz registered under Ramesh’s name. His wife, Niharika, had filed a missing complaint, triggering suspicion.
The Investigation Unfolds
As investigators dug deeper, Niharika’s role came to light. Under interrogation, she confessed to plotting her husband’s murder with Nikhil, a veterinary doctor, and Ankur, a prison acquaintance. Niharika’s troubled past revealed multiple setbacks, including imprisonment for financial fraud, where she met Ankur.
The Murder Plot
Niharika married Ramesh after both had separated from previous partners. Though he provided her with a lavish lifestyle, tensions grew when she demanded ₹8 crore, which Ramesh refused. Enraged, Niharika conspired with Nikhil and Ankur to kill him and seize his wealth. On October 1, they choked Ramesh to death at his home in Uppal, Hyderabad, and took cash before fleeing.
The trio traveled over 800 km to Kodagu, stopping in Bengaluru along the way. They disposed of Ramesh’s body in a remote coffee estate, wrapped it in a blanket, and set it on fire to destroy evidence. After returning to Hyderabad, Niharika filed a missing person report to divert suspicion.
Police Speak on the Case
Kodagu police chief Ramarajan described the case as complex, with minimal clues. “The body had been burned 3-4 days before the complaint. Tracking over 500 CCTV cameras across districts, we traced the suspicious vehicle back to Telangana, identifying it as belonging to Ramesh,” he said.
Niharika, Nikhil, and Ankur have been arrested and are now facing charges of murder and evidence tampering. The case highlights the shocking extent to which greed can drive people to commit unthinkable acts.
