Delhi Techie Arrested in Mussoorie Murder Mystery After Wife Found Dead

DNI SUMMARY — KEY POINTS

• Software engineer Sri Charan Somayajula was arrested by Dehradun police in Delhi following the death of his wife in a Mussoorie homestay.
• The 27-year-old victim, Parupudi Radha Gayatri, was discovered dead on the floor of their hotel room on the morning of June 15.
• Initial autopsy results were inconclusive, prompting local authorities to initiate a formal magisterial inquiry to determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy.
• The victim's parents have formally accused the husband of murder, leading police to secure a non-bailable warrant and pursue a criminal investigation.
• The suspect remains in judicial custody for 14 days as investigators await forensic analysis of preserved viscera to ascertain the cause of death.

A chilling investigation into the death of a young professional has reached a turning point as Dehradun police apprehended Sri Charan Somayajula in connection with the demise of his wife. Parupudi Radha Gayatri, a 27-year-old IT worker, was found unresponsive at a homestay on the Mussoorie-Dhanaulti road last month under highly suspicious circumstances. The couple, who had recently married in November 2025, were visiting the hill station to celebrate a birthday when the incident occurred, cutting short a life and sparking a complex legal battle for justice.

Disturbing Discovery At Homestay

The timeline provided by the husband suggested a standard evening of leisure, yet the physical evidence found at the scene painted a far more disturbing picture. According to official reports, the victim was discovered lying on the floor without clothing, while bloodstains were observed on the nearby bedsheet. Investigators recovered two empty liquor bottles and food remnants from the room, fueling suspicion that the environment had been disturbed prior to the arrival of emergency responders who declared the woman dead at the scene.

Following the initial discovery, the lack of definitive findings in the preliminary autopsy report necessitated further scrutiny from the district administration. Sub-divisional magistrate Rahul Anand confirmed that a magisterial inquiry was mandated to ensure transparency, as doctors could not immediately identify the cause of death. By preserving the viscera for advanced toxicological and histopathological analysis, forensic experts aim to uncover whether chemical agents or physical trauma played a decisive role in the young woman's untimely expiration during their mountain retreat.

Demanding A Transparent Inquiry

Family members of the deceased have remained vocal in their accusations, firmly believing that their daughter was the victim of foul play orchestrated by her husband. P. Sudhakar, the father of the victim, filed a formal complaint that serves as the cornerstone for the current murder case registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. This insistence on a thorough investigation pushed local law enforcement to escalate their efforts, resulting in the successful execution of a non-bailable warrant against the suspect late Friday night in East Delhi.

The suspect, an IT professional based in Pune, had initially attempted to portray himself as a grieving spouse during early interactions with the media in Visakhapatnam. However, his decision to abscond once a formal police case was initiated significantly damaged his credibility and heightened the focus of the investigators. After his arrest, he was produced before a magistrate and subsequently transferred to the district central jail in Sodhowala, where he will remain in custody while the formal judicial process against him continues to unfold in court.

Suspect Captured In Delhi

Public participation has been actively encouraged by the district administration as part of the broader effort to gather evidence surrounding the mysterious June 15 incident. A public notice issued by officials invited anyone with relevant information, complaints, or physical evidence to come forward by mid-July. This unconventional step highlights the gravity of the situation and the commitment of the authorities to leave no stone unturned as they piece together the final hours of the victim’s life at the Kiana Homestay.

Legal experts are closely monitoring the proceedings as the case transitions from a suspicious death investigation to a high-profile murder trial. The transition from judicial custody to a full-scale prosecution depends heavily on the upcoming forensic reports and the testimony collected during the ongoing inquiry. As the victim's family waits for closure, the legal community is observing how the courts handle the complexities of evidence collection in cases where the primary witness is also the prime suspect.

Seeking Justice Through Evidence

Beyond the immediate tragedy, this case has reignited public discourse regarding the safety of couples traveling and the legal mechanisms available to families seeking justice. The intense scrutiny surrounding the arrest of the Delhi-based techie reflects a broader societal demand for accountability in instances of domestic violence and mysterious fatalities. As the investigation progresses toward its conclusion, the focus remains on the pursuit of truth and the potential for a landmark ruling that will ultimately provide answers to the grieving relatives.