Only child of ex-ISRO employee who killed his wife refuses to fly to India for last rites: 'We tried to convince her but...'

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• A 63-year-old woman was killed by her husband in Bengaluru.
• Daughter in US declined to travel for legal formalities.
• Extended family completed the cremation and legal procedures.

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The killing of a 63 year old woman at a senior living community in Bengaluru has been followed by another emotional development, with the couple’s only daughter declining to travel from the United States to complete the legal formalities.

The incident occurred on February 18 at Virtuoso Apartments in Bommenahalli, under the Avalahalli police limits in the Whitefield division of Bengaluru. Police said 70 year old Nageshwar Rao allegedly killed his wife, Sandhya Shri, inside their flat. The couple had been residing in the senior community since 2022.

According to investigators, officers found Rao seated on a sofa while his wife’s body lay in the kitchen. When questioned, he reportedly admitted to the crime, saying, "Yes, I killed her. Who would have looked after her after my death? I will hardly live another 2-3 years. What after my death? We don't have close relatives."

After Rao’s arrest, police contacted the couple’s daughter, who lives in New Jersey in the United States, and informed her about the incident. A senior IPS officer said efforts were made to persuade her to come to the city.

"On the day of the incident, we contacted her and passed the shocking message. Initially, she told us that she would fly down, and we decided to hold the autopsy and other legal work after her arrival. However, later, she refused, saying it was not possible for her. We were shocked to hear that," he said.

"We tried to convince her, stating she is the only child of the couple. The mother is dead and the father will be walking into prison. Her presence was most needed for legal as well as emotional purposes. We did not carry out the autopsy, thinking she would come down. On learning that she refused, we contacted Vijay Babu, brother-in-law of Nageshwar Rao and a resident of JB Nagar; and he cooperated with us and completed all the legal formalities. Also, he cremated Sandhya Shri according to their tradition," he said.

With no immediate family member arriving from abroad, the extended family stepped in to complete the formal procedures and perform the cremation. Police said the accused remains in custody as the investigation continues.