Missing woman case: Suresh rejoices 'victory for truth' with family, advocates

Mysuru: There was no bound for happiness of Kuruba Suresh and his family members, as their five years of ordeal ended on a happy note in the case of his wife, who went missing in 2020, presumed to be murdered by Suresh, but found alive. 

Thanks to the resilience, perseverance and patience of his father Kuruba Gandhi, who approached and pursued the case with advocate B S Pandu Poojari in 2023; and the efforts of the advocate and his team; and Fifth Additional District and Sessions Judge of Mysuru Gururaj Somakkalavar, who delivered justice to Suresh, by upholding truth and acquitted him on Wednesday. Earlier, he got bail from High Court in 2023.

Suresh, from Basavanahalli tribal settlement colony of Kushalnagar taluk, said, "It's the end of a nightmare. I will extend all support to advocate Poojari who wants to take up the case further, in the High Court, to ensure punishment to all IOs."

"When Mallige went missing in 2020, I lodged a complaint with Kushalnagar police on November 13, 2020, after 20 days, only after doing my best to look for her. But, Bettadapura police, who found a skeleton on November 12, 2020, presumed it to be of my wife, picked me up on a Saturday, days before filing an FIR on July 18, 2021. I was forced to confess to the murder of my wife. They told me not to reveal this, when I was produced before the Magistrate."

He added, "It was painful, undergo more than two years of imprisonment without committing any crime. When the DNA report of the skeleton (found by Bettadapura police) was inconclusive, I had a strong doubt that my wife was alive, but did not know where she was."

"Fortunately, she was found alive by a neighbor on April 1 in Madikeri. She was produced before the court on April 4. I had to suffer humiliation. My son had to discontinue education after SSLC, in order to take up a job to support my mother-in-law and daughter. I want him to continue his education, now. I want to support my daughter's education, who has completed SSLC, and wants to become a lawyer. She also aspires to become an IAS officer. Advocates Poojari and P J Raghavendra, who supported me in the case, have assured to get aid for her education," he added.  

Suresh's father Kuruba Gandhi shared, "It has been years since we ate and slept peacefully, with our life filled with anxiety and fear. It has been years since we held our heads high, due to the humiliation. We will eat well and sleep peacefully today. We will walk with our heads up, again. It is a second life for Suresh."

Suresh's mother Mutthamma shared, "After undergoing a huge trauma of fear, anxiety, humiliation, I fear if we have to face any threat from the police, whose lapses are proved now. Yet, I am relieved that my son has got justice at last."