Bengaluru homemaker, 26, dies by suicide after video call row over husband's alleged affair
Synopsis
A 26-year-old Bengaluru homemaker allegedly took her life in the early hours of Sunday after confronting her husband over a purported extramarital affair on a video call — with her seven-month-old child present. The case is the latest in a string of fatal domestic distress incidents reported from the city in recent months.
Key Takeaways
Sanika Gowda , 26 , allegedly died by suicide at her parents' home in Rayasandra, Bengaluru on 26 July at around 3 a.m.
She reportedly confronted husband Sharan Gowda over an alleged extramarital affair during a video call moments before her death.
Sharan had allegedly sent Sanika an audio recording of a conversation with another woman, which reportedly distressed her deeply.
Sanika's seven-month-old child was present at the time; her brother discovered the body.
The body was sent to St.
John's Medical College Hospital for post-mortem; a case is registered at Parappana Agrahara Police Station .
The incident follows at least two other high-profile domestic distress deaths among women in and around Bengaluru in recent months.
A 26-year-old homemaker, identified as Sanika Gowda, allegedly died by suicide in the early hours of Sunday, 26 July at her parents' residence in Rayasandra locality, Bengaluru, reportedly after confronting her husband over an alleged extramarital relationship during a video call. The case has been registered at Parappana Agrahara Police Station.
What Happened
According to police sources, Sanika's husband, Sharan Gowda, a native of Chikkamagaluru, had allegedly sent her an audio recording of his conversation with another woman. Deeply distressed after listening to the clip, Sanika is said to have confronted Sharan over a video call before ending the conversation. She allegedly hanged herself from a ceiling fan at her parental home at around 3 a.m.
Her brother discovered her body when he went to check on her room. In a particularly distressing detail, Sanika reportedly died in the presence of her seven-month-old child. The body has been shifted to St. John's Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Background to the Couple
Sanika and Sharan Gowda had been married for approximately one-and-a-half years. Sanika had returned to her parental home in Rayasandra for postnatal care prior to the incident. Investigators are probing allegations that Sharan was involved in an extramarital relationship, which reportedly led to sustained marital discord between the couple.
Investigation Under Way
A case has been registered at Parappana Agrahara Police Station. Authorities say further investigation is under way to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to Sanika's death. No arrests have been reported so far.
A Pattern of Domestic Distress in Bengaluru
This is not an isolated incident in the city. On 15 April, a 45-year-old homemaker, Suvarna Chandrashekhar, was found dead alongside her 13-year-old daughter, Tarunya Chandrashekhar, at their Immadihalli residence in Whitefield, in what police described as a case of the mother allegedly smothering the child before taking her own life. Separately, a 25-year-old homemaker named Kavya, married to farmer Rangaswamy of Genasanahalli village near Nelamangala, died by suicide after reportedly consuming a grain-preserving tablet following a domestic argument. Taken together, the incidents point to a troubling pattern of fatal domestic distress among women in and around Bengaluru.
If you or someone you know is in distress, please reach out to iCall at 9152987821 or Vandrevala Foundation at 1860-2662-345 (available 24x7).
Point of View
Marital conflict, and no apparent crisis intervention. The question authorities must answer is not just legal but systemic: why are support mechanisms so absent that a 3 a.m. video call ends in death? Registering a case is the minimum response; it cannot be the only one.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sanika Gowda and what happened to her?
Sanika Gowda was a 26-year-old homemaker from Bengaluru who allegedly died by suicide on 26 July at her parents' residence in Rayasandra. According to police, she had confronted her husband Sharan Gowda over an alleged extramarital affair during a video call shortly before her death.
What triggered the incident, according to police?
Police sources say Sharan Gowda had allegedly sent Sanika an audio recording of his conversation with another woman. Deeply upset after listening to the clip, she reportedly confronted him over a video call before allegedly hanging herself from a ceiling fan at around 3 a.m.
Where did the incident take place and which police station is handling the case?
The incident took place at Sanika's parental home in Rayasandra locality, Bengaluru. A case has been registered at Parappana Agrahara Police Station, and the body was sent to St. John's Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Was anyone else present when Sanika died?
Yes. Sanika's seven-month-old child was reportedly present at the time. Her brother subsequently discovered her body when he went to check on her room.
Is this part of a broader pattern of domestic distress deaths in Bengaluru?
Reports suggest it is. At least two other homemakers in and around Bengaluru died in similar circumstances in recent months — one in Whitefield on 15 April and another near Nelamangala — raising concerns about domestic distress and the availability of crisis support for women in the city.
