Bellari: A chilling murder case has come to light from Ballari district, where a 32-year-old woman, a mother of three who was living separately from her husband, was brutally killed by her lover, Mohammed Khwaja, whom she had secretly married just four months ago. The crime, driven by suspicion and financial disputes, has left an entire family shattered and three children orphaned.
The deceased, identified as Uma (32), had been married 12 years ago to a relative from Pathikonda village in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The marriage initially progressed smoothly, and the couple had three sons. However, over the years, marital discord crept in, leading to frequent quarrels. Eventually, Uma and her husband separated and began living apart.
Following the separation, Uma returned to her native place in Chappalagadda area of Hosapete city in Vijayanagara district. Supporting three children on her own proved to be a major challenge. While her eldest son stayed with his father, Uma took responsibility for the other two children, managing their education and daily needs. To earn a livelihood, she started working at a stall inside the Hosapete railway station, barely managing to make ends meet with her modest income.
Friendship turns into secret love
During her daily routine at the railway station, Uma came into contact with Khaja, a young man who was working at an exhibition nearby. Initially, Khaja would frequently visit the station, stand near the stall where Uma worked, and try to strike up conversations. Over a few months, their acquaintance grew, and they exchanged phone numbers.
Soon, constant phone calls and WhatsApp chats became the norm. Uma’s family members noticed her frequent phone conversations and questioned her about it. She reportedly told her sister that Khaja was just a friend. However, the relationship soon turned romantic. Despite being a mother of three, Uma fell deeply in love with Khaja, and he, too, reciprocated her feelings.
As the relationship intensified, Uma began devoting most of her time to Khaja, often neglecting her family responsibilities. According to the police, the couple had been in a relationship for about eight months and, without informing either family, secretly got married four months ago.
Disputes over money and growing suspicion
While the initial phase of their marriage was smooth, trouble soon surfaced. Financial issues became a major source of conflict between the couple. Khaja reportedly began suspecting Uma’s character and grew increasingly possessive. If Uma’s phone was busy or if she delayed answering his calls, it often led to heated arguments.
Despite being married, Khaja never visited Uma’s house. Instead, the couple met outside, away from the eyes of family members and neighbours. Over time, Khaja’s suspicion and anger intensified, creating frequent disputes.
On January 6, the couple had a major argument over money and trust issues. Later that night, Khaja went near Uma’s house. Around 4.30 am, Uma stepped out of her home and went to the terrace of a neighbouring building, where Khaja was waiting. According to police investigations, the argument continued on the terrace.
In a fit of rage, Khaja, who had come prepared with a sharp knife, allegedly decided to kill her. Covering his face with a towel, he slit Uma’s throat in a manner likened by investigators to slaughtering a chicken. Uma collapsed in a pool of blood and died on the spot.
Body discovered after cats’ fight
Uma had returned home after finishing her work at the railway station but went out again in the early hours of the morning and never returned. Worried family members searched for her and contacted relatives and friends, but to no avail.
Later, neighbours noticed cats fighting unusually on a nearby terrace. Curious residents went to check and were horrified to find Uma’s lifeless body lying in a pool of blood. They immediately informed the Chittawadgi police, who rushed to the spot and confirmed that she had been murdered with a sharp weapon.
Police registered a murder case and launched an intensive investigation. Vijayanagara Superintendent of Police Jahnavi visited the crime scene and formed special teams to track down the accused. By analysing Uma’s mobile phone records, tracing her last call, and using tower location data, police managed to arrest Khaja within four hours of the case being registered.
