In-laws kill Karnataka doctor for being 'childless'

28-May-2025

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A 30-year-old doctor was allegedly murdered by her parents-in-law at the behest of her husband in Karnataka’s Belagavi district. 

The motive was linked to her inability to conceive, leading to domestic disputes and harassment, said the police.

The mother-in-law, Jayashree, and father-in-law, Kamanna Honakande, tried to make it look like an accident. 

It was, however, later discovered to be a premeditated murder. 

Jayashree and Kamanna confessed to the murdering during investigation and also revealed that their son, Santosh Honakande, had instigated them to kill Renuka.

Investigators also found out that Santosh had remarried, while still legally married to Renuka, and his second wife is now reportedly pregnant. Police say this could have been the final trigger for the murder.

A case of murder and dowry harassment was registered and the three are currently lodged in Hindalga jail. 

Postmortem examination confirmed Renuka was murdered. Her body was handed over to her family, and her last rites were held in Vijaypura’s Chadchan area.