Tumakuru, 14 Feb

A 33-year-old woman allegedly smothered her mother with a pillow while she was asleep and attempted to pass it off as a natural death after being influenced by an astrologer's claims.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night in Anupanahalli village of Tumakuru taluk, but came to light only on Thursday after villagers alerted the authorities.

The deceased has been identified as Pushpavathi, 55. The accused, Suchitra, 33, was residing with her husband in the Srinagar area of Tumakuru city.

According to police, Suchitra’s father had died about one-and-a-half years ago due to health ailments. However, she had reportedly consulted an astrologer online, who allegedly told her during a ritual reading that her mother had performed black magic, leading to her father’s death.

During interrogation, Suchitra confessed to killing her mother after allegedly being influenced by the astrologer’s claims.

She smothered her mother with a pillow while she was sleeping, a senior police officer said.

The crime was committed in the presence of her husband, who allegedly guided her.

The officer also suspect the motive to involve a financial dispute, which is being investigated.

The accused allegedly attempted to pass the death off as natural and tried to rush the funeral rites.

However, villagers grew suspicious over the condition of the body and the circumstances surrounding the death and alerted the authorities.

A case of murder has been registered. Both Suchitra and her husband have been arrested.