A 30-year-old software engineer of an Indian origin, who was residing in the United States along with his wife, was arrested there for allegedly murdering her and concealing it to mislead cops. His arrest comes almost nine months after the crime. The victim’s body had been discovered in Bellevue, Washington.

As per the Bellevue Police Department, the accused, identified as Avinash Narne, allegedly strangled his wife (27), named Raajitha Sabbineni, to death. Later, he tried to alter the circumstances surrounding her death to mislead the police. The investigating police personnel also alleged that he sent a photograph of her body to a woman in India, with whom he is believed to be having a long-standing secret relationship.

Narne claims wife was locked inside washroom

According to officials, the incident dates back to October 27, 2025, when Narne contacted emergency services, claiming his wife had locked herself inside the washroom and was unresponsive.

The police rushed to the scene, broke open the bathroom door and discovered Raajitha lying motionless on the floor. The cops pronounced her dead at the scene after a brief inspection.

During initial interrogation, Nane told the cops that he had left the apartment to run errands and returned 40 minutes later, only to find the washroom’s door locked from inside. However, the cops reviewing available evidence found no indication that anyone else had entered or left the apartment during the period when he was away.

Post-mortem reveals death was a homicide

The next day, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Raajitha’s death a homicide. According to the findings of the autopsy report, she had died from asphyxia caused by strangulation.

As the probe deepened, the sleuths unearthed evidence pointing towards an alleged extra-marital relationship, which Narne had been maintaining with a woman based in India over several years.

Authorities learnt Narne had got hitched to Raajitha in an arranged marriage in June last year, despite remaining involved with a woman. The cops then claimed that the woman attended the couple’s wedding and that the illicit relationship between the duo continued even after Narne’s wedding.

Phone records, messages strengthen case against Narne

According to police, Narne contacted his alleged girlfriend at least four times on the day of the incident, including around the time he later claimed he was trying to gain access to the locked bathroom.

If the police are to be believed, he sent his paramour a photograph of Raajitha’s body after killing her. The investigators, thereafter, recovered text messages exchanged between the duo, in which Raajitha repeatedly complained that beverages prepared by her husband tasted unusually bitter.

On the day she died, she had texted Narne saying that a smoothie he had made tasted like ‘medicine’ and a ‘cough syrup.’

Narne booked under murder charges

On July 5, 2026, the prosecutors charged Narne with one count of first-degree murder. If convicted, he could face life term under US laws. Officials said he is in custody on bail set at 5 million US dollars, while the criminal proceedings continue against him.