A 27-year-old woman has been arrested for setting her boyfriend on fire and killing him at her home in North West Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Police also said that she filmed his final moments on her mobile phone.
The accused, Prerna and the victim Kiran, also 27, both worked at a private telecom firm and had been in a relationship for around two years.
Police said that Prerna preplanned the crime. Officers suspect that the crime was triggered after Kiran reportedly turned down the woman’s prior marriage proposal and ignored her.
On Tuesday, Prerna invited Kiran to her house in Anjananagar under Byadarahalli police station after her family members left for work. She reportedly promised him a ‘surprise and a good time’.
When he arrived, she blindfolded him and tied him to a chair under the pretence of staging a surprise proposal. When he questioned why he was being tied so tightly, she reassured him that it was part of a 'Western-style proposal' and part of the act.
Investigators said that she removed his clothes and then poured petrol and kerosene, which she had prepared earlier, on him before setting him on fire.
He is said to have died on the spot.
The accused then filmed the act on her mobile phone.
When police questioned Prerna, she told them that the victim committed suicide and that she was in the bathroom. However, they found inconsistencies in her claims.
One police officer told reporters, “At first glance, it appeared to be a case of suicide, but the investigation established it was murder.”
They noted that the victim had arrived at the house carrying only a bag and that he did not bring any flammable substances with him.
An inquiry also confirmed that the fuel was purchased by the accused.
The couple reportedly had a history of frequent arguments. Kiran had also reportedly been distancing himself. Investigators are also probing whether the woman had additional motives and the sequence of events.
A case of murder has been registered at the Bydarahalli police station.