Bengaluru Shocker: Ex-ISRO Employee Kills Wife Using Towel
Retired ISRO employee Nageshwar Rao was arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly killing his wife, with police investigating his mental health and conflicting statements.
A sad incident was reported in Bengaluru on 18 February 2026. Nageshwar Rao, a retired employee of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife, Sandhya Shri, in their apartment in Bommanahalli.
Rao is reported to be around 75 years old, though some sources say he is 65. His wife Sandhya was 63. The couple was originally from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. They had purchased the Bommanahalli flat about three years ago and had earlier been living in the Whitefield area of Bengaluru.
According to police, the incident took place at around 10:00 a.m. on 18 February. Rao allegedly went into the kitchen while his wife was working and strangled her using a towel. After the incident, he reportedly attempted to end his own life but stopped midway.
Police said Rao then sat near his wife’s body for about 20 minutes. Later, in a confused state, he called a neighbour. At first, the neighbour thought Rao was joking, but when Rao repeated the claim, he realised the situation was serious and alerted others in the building.
Neighbours rushed to the flat and found Sandhya unresponsive. A doctor living in the same building examined her and confirmed that she had died. The police were then informed.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Rao sitting calmly on the sofa. Police said he immediately admitted to the act and reportedly told them that he was worried about who would take care of his wife after his death, as they did not have close relatives in Bengaluru. However, when a senior officer questioned him further, Rao remained silent.
During interrogation, Rao reportedly gave different and confusing statements. In one version, he claimed that his wife had tried to kill him with a towel and that he acted in self-defence.
Police also found that Rao had been facing health issues and was undergoing treatment for depression. The couple’s daughter, who lives in New Jersey, United States, has been informed and is expected to return to India soon.
A case of murder has been registered, and the investigation is ongoing. Police are also examining Rao’s medical and mental health records as part of the probe.
