Udupi: Two men sentenced to life for attempting to strangle woman, stuff her in suitcase

Udupi: Two men sentenced to life for attempting to strangle woman, stuff her in suitcase

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, May 1, 2026: In a shocking attempted murder case, a court in Udupi has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for trying to kill a woman by strangulation and packing her into a suitcase.

The victim’s husband, Ramanath Rai, a resident of Manchi Kumery, runs a milk parlour near Tiger Circle in Manipal. On February 18, 2022, he had gone to work as usual, leaving his wife Sumathi alone at home.

At around 7:15 pm, Mithun, a relative of Sumathi from Beltangady, arrived at the house in Manchikodi along with his friend Nagesh. Recognizing Mithun, Sumathi opened the door.

The two men then forcibly entered the house and strangled her with the intention of killing her until she lost consciousness.

Believing she was dead, the accused placed Sumathi inside a sack, stuffed it into a suitcase, and prepared to dispose of the body. At that moment, Ramanath Rai returned home with a few neighbours and knocked on the door. The accused opened the door and tried to escape by pushing them aside, but were caught by the public and handed over to the police.

When the suitcase left in the hall was opened, Sumathi was found unconscious inside the sack. She was immediately rushed to KMC Hospital, where she underwent treatment for a week and later recovered.

Based on a complaint filed by a neighbour, Sudarshan, a case was registered at Manipal Police Station. The investigation was led by then police sub-inspector Rajashekhar Vandali, who filed a chargesheet against the accused under Sections 449 (house trespass), 325 (grievous hurt), and 307 (attempt to murder) read with 34 (common intention) of the IPC.

After the trial, Principal District and Sessions Judge Kiran S Gangannavar found the accused guilty and delivered the verdict on April 30, 2026.

The court sentenced Mithun and Nagesh to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 each under Sections 449 and 307 of the IPC. They were also awarded five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 5,000 each under Section 325.

Out of the total fine collected, the court directed Rs 45,000 to be paid to the victim as compensation.

Public prosecutor Jayaram Shetty represented the prosecution.