The death of a 26-year-old physiotherapist at a private homestay in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapur district has sparked a multi-pronged police investigation, with authorities examining the possibility of murder, suicide and poisoning. Her boyfriend was found unconscious in the same room and remains hospitalised.
Police said the exact cause of Sai Surabhi’s death will be known only after post-mortem and forensic examination reports are received. Investigators have ruled out nothing at this stage and say medical and forensic evidence will determine the direction of the probe.
Surabhi, a resident of Bengaluru, was found dead at the homestay near Muddenahalli. Her boyfriend, Mohammed Sanjeet Ali, a native of Kerala, was discovered unconscious alongside her and is undergoing treatment.
Police await forensic findings
Chikkaballapur Superintendent of Police Kushal Chowksi, who inspected the scene, said there were no visible external or blood-related injuries on Surabhi’s body.
“A rope, a large number of tablets, and signs of vomiting were found inside the room. A pillow has also been seized. All possibilities remain open — murder, suicide by hanging, or poisoning,” Chowksi told reporters.
He said investigators would be able to establish the cause of death only after the post-mortem and forensic reports are available.
According to police, the couple had checked into the homestay three days before the incident. Investigators are reconstructing the sequence of events that preceded Surabhi’s death.
Family’s allegations under investigation
Police said Surabhi and Ali were in a relationship that was allegedly opposed by her family.
According to investigators, Surabhi had earlier informed her family of her intention to marry Ali. The proposal was reportedly rejected, following which the couple left home together, and a missing person complaint was filed.
Police said Surabhi later appeared before them and stated that she was an adult and had the legal right to choose her partner. She subsequently began living with Ali.
Chowksi said Surabhi’s family told police she had recently travelled to Chikkaballapur for voluntary service at the SAI campus. Police are verifying the claim with the concerned authorities.
“We are verifying this with SAI authorities, though her family has confirmed she had come for voluntary service. We believe the man came to know of her presence, booked the homestay, and she came there to meet him. The sequence of events is still being verified,” he said.
Surabhi’s family has also alleged that Ali introduced her to narcotic substances, leading to alcohol and drug addiction, and physically assaulted her. Police said these allegations remain under investigation and no conclusions have been reached.
Police sources said the couple had previously been booked under the NDPS Act by Kumaraswamy Layout Police after drugs were allegedly recovered during a party they attended.
“This is not a criminal antecedents case. The man is believed to be unemployed,” Chowksi said.
Police examine poisoning angle
Investigators said the recovery of tablets, a rope and signs of vomiting has brought poisoning into focus as one of the possible causes of death.
“Since there are no visible external injuries, we cannot say whether she was murdered, poisoned, or died by suicide. The injured man is also undergoing treatment. There is a possibility of poisoning,” the SP said.
Police said Ali’s statement will be crucial once he regains consciousness.
“We are probing whether the man murdered the woman and then attempted suicide, or whether the couple entered into a suicide pact. All angles are being investigated,” police sources said.
The case has been registered at Nandi Police Station. Surabhi’s body has been sent for post-mortem examination, while forensic experts have collected evidence from the homestay.
“Only when the injured man is able to speak, or after we receive the post-mortem report, will we be able to confirm how the woman died,” Chowksi said.
Police said the investigation will proceed on the basis of forensic and medical evidence. The post-mortem and forensic reports are awaited.