Bhatkal: A 27-year-old woman was allegedly strangled to death by her husband at Doddagunda village in Honnavar taluk, neighbouring Bhatkal, with the accused reportedly attempting to pass off the death as a heart attack. Police have arrested the husband following an investigation into the incident.

The accused has been identified as Ganapati Manjunath Naik, while the deceased has been identified as his 27-year-old wife, Mangala Ganapati Naik.

According to sources, the incident occurred after Ganapati allegedly returned home in an intoxicated condition. Mangala was reportedly asleep when he allegedly strangled her to death. After her death, he is said to have attempted to convince family members and others that she had suddenly taken ill and died of a heart attack.

However, Mangala's sister reportedly became suspicious of the circumstances surrounding her death. She is said to have told the police that Mangala was healthy and that her sudden death from an alleged heart attack appeared suspicious. Following the information, police from Manki Police Station launched an investigation.

During the investigation, police detained Ganapati for questioning. According to the police, he confessed during interrogation to killing his wife. A murder case was subsequently registered at Manki Police Station and he was arrested.

The accused was produced before a court and has been remanded to judicial custody. Police are continuing their investigation to establish the exact motive behind the murder and determine whether any dispute between the couple preceded the incident.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the accused allegedly attempted to portray the killing as a natural death. The suspected murder came to light after the deceased's family raised doubts over the circumstances of her death, prompting police to investigate further.