A tragic incident in Mandya, Karnataka, has resulted in the arrest of a 28-year-old man for the alleged murder of a married woman he recently met through Facebook. The accused, Puneeth Gowda, an engineering graduate from Mandya, is accused of killing 35-year-old Preethi Sundaresh from Hassan, a married woman with two children, during their first in-person meeting.

According to police reports, Preethi and Puneeth connected on Facebook just days before the incident. Their online interactions quickly escalated, leading to a decision to meet in person. On the day of the murder, Puneeth reportedly picked up Preethi in a car, and they traveled to various tourist spots in Mysuru and Mandya.

During their return journey, Puneeth allegedly took Preethi to a secluded area near the Kattaraghatta forest in KR Pete taluk, where an argument ensued. Puneeth claims that Preethi offered him money to continue their physical relationship, which he refused. This led to a heated exchange, during which Puneeth allegedly attacked Preethi, resulting in her death.

After the alleged murder, Puneeth is said to have buried Preethi's body on his farmland in Karoti village, attempting to conceal the crime. He also allegedly stole the gold jewelry she was wearing. To further mislead investigators, Puneeth reportedly answered a call from Preethi's husband on her phone, claiming that she had left the phone in his car and taken a bus.

Preethi's husband filed a missing person complaint with the Hassan police when she did not return home. During the investigation, police traced Preethi's last phone calls and Facebook messages, which led them to Puneeth. Initially, he claimed Preethi had taken a bus and left her phone behind, but he later confessed to the crime during interrogation.

The police have registered a case at the Kikkeri Police Station, and further investigation is underway. Authorities are exploring the digital trail between Preethi and Puneeth to understand the motive and circumstances that led to the crime. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about the potential dangers of online relationships. This case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly online interactions can escalate and result in tragic outcomes. The police are urging caution and vigilance when engaging with individuals met through social media platforms.