An under-construction house in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
A 45-year-old software professional ended his life at his under-construction home in Nallurahalli after allegedly facing years of harassment, threats and extortion from a neighbour’s family and civic officials.
Murali Govindaraju, an employee at ITPL, living with his wife, two children and mother was found dead on the second floor of their under construction house on Wednesday (December 3, 2025) morning.
Based on a 10-page death note recovered from the scene and a formal complaint filed by his mother, Lakshmi Govindaraju (61), police arrested a couple — Shashi Nambiar (64) and Usha Nambiar (57) — on charges of abetment to suicide and extortion under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Their son, Varun, is currently absconding.
According to the police, the case related to a property dispute dating back to 2018, when Murali purchased a 2,400 sqft site in Nallurahalli from one of the Nambiars’ relatives. Trouble began when he started constructing his house, with the couple staying near-by allegedly objecting to the construction citing violations of the building bylaws.
In her complaint to Whitefield Police, Lakshmi alleged that the couple “harassed and tortured” Murali and repeatedly demanded ₹20 lakh to stop interfering. When he refused, she claimed that Usha Nambiar roped in the BBMP — now the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) — to target him with notices and inspections.
Police have confirmed that the GBA issued a notice summoning Murali for a hearing on December 3 — the same day he died — following a complaint by Usha Nambiar over alleged plan deviations. He went to the house in the morning and later ended his life. The incident came to light when the carpenter went to work, found the body and alerted the police.
The complainant said that Murali had been forced to move between various civic and legal offices for months, facing repeated pressure and alleged threats from the couple. His death note reportedly details sustained intimidation and financial demands.
The couple were produced before court and remanded to judicial custody. Police are continuing efforts to trace their son.
(Those in distress and having suicidal tendencies can seek help from Arogya Sahayavani Ph: 104)
Published – December 04, 2025 06:03 pm IST
