In a shocking incident from Karnataka’s Belagavi district, 30-year-old doctor Dr Renuka Santosh Honakande was allegedly murdered by her parents-in-law, Jayashree and Kamanna Honakande, reportedly at the instigation of her husband, Santosh Honakande.
The brutal killing, which took place on May 18, 2025, was motivated by Renuka’s inability to conceive and her epilepsy, leading to persistent domestic harassment and disputes. The accused attempted to disguise the murder as a road accident by tying her body to a motorcycle and dragging it over 100 metres.
However, police investigations and forensic evidence revealed the crime was premeditated. All three accused have been arrested and are currently in judicial custody, with police continuing their inquiry into the case.
A Premeditated Murder Masked as a Tragic Accident
Police reports detail a chilling sequence of events that led to Renuka’s death. On the day of the incident, Jayashree reportedly coaxed Renuka to accompany her to a temple. On their return journey, Kamanna arrived on his motorcycle to pick them up. At a secluded spot, Jayashree pushed Renuka off the moving bike.
When Renuka survived the fall, Kamanna allegedly strangled her with her own saree and struck her head with a stone to ensure her death. To conceal their crime, the couple tied Renuka’s lifeless body to the motorcycle and dragged it along the road for over 100 metres, attempting to simulate an accident.
Belagavi Superintendent of Police Bheemashankar Guled highlighted the suspicious nature of the injuries, stating, “Only the daughter-in-law had severe injuries, while the others were unharmed,” which prompted a thorough investigation. Upon questioning, both Jayashree and Kamanna confessed to the murder and revealed that Santosh had instigated the act due to his frustration over Renuka’s health and fertility issues.
Harassment, Health Struggles, and Betrayal: The Tragic Backdrop
Renuka, a qualified BHMS doctor from Vijayapura, was married to Santosh, a mechanical engineer, in 2020. Their marriage, initially hopeful, was marred by persistent domestic strife after Santosh discovered Renuka’s epilepsy and her inability to conceive children.
Despite her medical condition, Renuka faced continuous harassment and emotional abuse from her husband and in-laws, who blamed her for the couple’s childlessness. Disturbingly, Santosh remarried another woman, who is now pregnant, while still legally married to Renuka.
According to relatives, Renuka endured relentless taunts about her health and childlessness but chose to remain with her in-laws, hoping for peace. Her family, alarmed by her prolonged absence and suspicious circumstances, filed a complaint that led to the police investigation and eventual uncovering of the murder plot.
The police have registered cases under sections related to murder, dowry harassment, and cruelty, signalling a strong legal response to this grievous crime.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This tragic incident lays bare the deep-rooted prejudices and harmful societal norms that continue to endanger women’s lives, especially regarding reproductive health and marital expectations. No woman should be subjected to violence, stigma, or betrayal because of medical conditions or societal pressures beyond her control.
The Logical Indian strongly condemns such acts of cruelty and calls for more robust enforcement of laws against dowry harassment, domestic violence, and gender-based discrimination. Beyond legal measures, it is imperative to foster a culture of empathy, respect, and understanding within families and communities.
We urge readers to reflect on how societal attitudes can be transformed to protect and empower women facing health or fertility challenges. How can we, as a society, better support women’s rights and dignity to prevent such tragedies in the future?
