Vijaya Pai : Bengaluru CID Breakthrough: 11 Years Murder Case

The CID has arrested and charged three men for the crimes of murder and gang rape. (Representational Image)

Bengaluru: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has successfully cracked an 11-year-old murder mystery in Bengaluru involving Vijaya Pai. Initially, her husband was arrested but later released without charges. Shockingly, it has now come to light that Vijaya was subjected to a horrific gang rape before being brutally murdered. The CID has taken swift action and arrested three individuals, including one of her husband’s colleagues, for the heinous crimes of murder and gang rape.

Brief Background of the Case

The case dates back to February 2013, when Balakrishna Pai, an employee at Canara Bank’s Mahalakshmi Layout branch and a resident of Sanjaynagar, reported his wife missing. She failed to return home from her job in Electronics City. Tragically, a few days later, a woman’s body was discovered by Chikkajala police, which was later identified as Vijaya Pai by her husband.

Unjust Accusations and Legal Battle

Initially, Sanjaynagar police arrested Balakrishna Pai, accusing him of his wife’s murder. He spent 90 days in judicial custody, but no charges were pressed against him due to lack of evidence. Frustrated by the lack of progress, Pai sought legal recourse and appealed to the High Court for a fresh investigation. Finally, after eleven years, the CID made significant breakthroughs in the case.

CID’s Investigation and Arrests

Following a reexamination of all evidence, including Call Detail Records (CDR) from the day Vijaya went missing, the CID made critical strides in the investigation. Three individuals were arrested in connection with the murder and gang rape. Narasimha Murthy, a former Canara Bank manager, aged 65, along with his two associates, Deepak C, 38, and Hariprasad, 45, all from Sahakarnagar, were apprehended by the CID. Notably, Murthy and Pai worked at the same branch, making the case even more chilling.

Justice Prevails

Reflecting on his ordeal, Balakrishna Pai shared with The Times of India, “I was devastated by the loss of my wife and then falsely accused of her murder. I lost faith in the system but decided to fight for justice. No one should endure what I went through.” The arrests of the perpetrators bring hope for closure and justice for Vijaya Pai’s family.

The CID’s relentless pursuit of truth and justice serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough investigations in solving cold cases and delivering justice to victims and their families.