A 65-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife following family and financial disputes and later attempting to project the crime as a road accident. The incident took place under the Bagaluru police station limits.

The deceased has been identified as Gayatri (55), a resident of Chikkabommasandra in Yelahanka New Town. The accused is her husband, Ananth (65), who has been taken into custody.

Police said the incident occurred on Sunday evening. Ananth allegedly took his wife on a two-wheeler to a vacant site near Bagaluru, claiming that they needed to perform a small pooja before constructing a house. Once near the site, he allegedly pushed her off the bike, assaulted her with a stone on the face and other parts of the body, and later strangled her to death.

After the crime, Ananth informed relatives that Gayatri had died in a road accident. He also told locals and traffic police that she had fallen after being hit by a bullet motorcycle. However, traffic police who inspected the body noticed injury marks on the head and alerted Bagaluru police.

Gayatri was a government school teacher at Chikkabidarakallu, while Ananth, a former employee of an escort company, had retired five years ago. The couple has one daughter. Police said the couple frequently argued over domestic issues, and relatives and locals had earlier tried to mediate between them.

Following suspicion, the body was sent for post-mortem examination. During interrogation, Ananth reportedly confessed to the crime. Police said he claimed that he was upset as his wife did not take care of him properly, did not provide food regularly, and allegedly threatened him during arguments.

A case has been registered at the Bagaluru police station. Station officer Shabarish and his team are investigating the case.