MYSURU: District police have arrested a woman who allegedly killed her husband by poisoning him and then filed a missing complaint in ChikkaHejjur in Hunsur, bordering Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (NTR).
Sallapuri, 37, of Mandya allegedly buried the body of Venkataswamy, 45, behind their home, Hunsur Rural police said.
Sallapuri lodged a police complaint that her husband was missing from their home since 10.30pm on Sept 8. There was no power supply then. According to the complaint, he went out of the home holding a torch after hearing a noise, but did not return. The next day, she lodged the missing-person complaint, as her "search did not yield result".
The mother of two children killed her husband and staged a drama, claiming he was killed by a tiger (their village borders NTR). A day later, police suspected something fishy as they found the ground at the backyard of their home dug.
An officer said she planned to get compensation from the forest department for human deaths happening due to animal attacks — she wanted to pay off their debt. She poisoned Venkataswamy by serving him a ragi ball laced with venomous liquid.
Sources said a few days ago, a tiger was spotted near Hejjuru village. Taking advantage of this, Sallapuri hatched the plan.