Ex-ISRO employee strangles wife over ‘concerns about her future’

A deeply disturbing incident unfolded in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on Wednesday morning, when a retired Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) employee allegedly murdered his wife at their home and later expressed concerns about her future care as the motive behind the crime, as per reports.

Local police have reportedly taken the man into custody as they investigate the case, which has drawn attention to issues of mental health and elderly caregiving challenges.

According to reports citing police officials, 65-year-old Nageshwar Rao, who had retired from service with ISRO, strangled his wife, Sandya Sri (60), with a towel inside their apartment in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Reports suggest that police officials believe Rao had been experiencing emotional distress following his retirement and was undergoing treatment for depression. Preliminary investigations suggest he believed there would be no one to care for his wife if he died, prompting him to commit the act and subsequently attempt to take his own life. However, instead of ending his life, Rao reportedly panicked and called an acquaintance, who then alerted authorities.

Officers are probing his mental health history and circumstances leading up to the attack to better understand what triggered the tragedy. The couple’s daughter being abroad has highlighted concerns about social isolation and support systems for elderly couples dealing with mental health issues.