Police said the suspect was trying to settle a debt of approximately Rs 8 lakh. Shobha, the daughter of a jewellery shop owner, was adorned with significant gold jewellery at the time. After the killing, Shivakumar searched the house for cash.
Earlier, the two had returned home from their routine morning walk.
The crime came to light when a doctor arrived at the house to administer physiotherapy to Ranganath and discovered Shobha lying beside him with her throat slit. Ranganath was next to her, appearing unaware of what had happened.
A video emerged from the scene that showed Shobha lying in a pool of blood, with Ranganath beside her lying unaware.
CCTV footage from the neighborhood showed a man leaving the area on a motorcycle shortly after the incident. Officers used recordings from nearby cameras to track the vehicle’s registration number. Investigators then followed the scooter’s registration details, which ultimately led them to Shivakumar.
Police reported that Shivakumar revisited the crime scene during the preliminary investigation, blending in with the crowd as a bystander. He later left on his scooter to return home, attempting to deflect suspicion.
Police have seized a motorcycle, knife used in the murder, and Shivakumar’s mobile phone.