Bank manager accused of killing wife with cyanide-laced capsules

Chittoor: Police took a bank manager into custody for allegedly administering capsules laced with cyanide to his wife who died on January 27. The incident came to light when the victim's parents filed a complaint on January 28 alleging it was a case of dowry harassment and they suspected their son-in-law's involvement in their daughter's death. The accused, Ravi Chaitanya, was taken into custody after police started an investigation.

According to police reports, Ravi, a bank manager in the Bank of Baroda's Madanapalle branch in Chittoor, married Amani and received ₹15 lakhs, 15 tolas of gold, and an acre of land as dowry. However, when Ravi learned that Amani's sister's husband was given two acres of land as dowry, he started harassing Amani for more money. Police said Ravi's parents had also been harassing their daughter-in-law. On 27 January Ravi allegedly laced his wife's Vitamin B capsules with cyanide. Amani died within half-an-hour after taking the capsule. Her parents became suspicious when they saw her body had turned blue.

Police have registered a case and are investigating how Ravi got hold of the cyanide. Some interesting facts were unraveled during the course of the investigation. Before joining the bank Ravi had worked at NG Ranga Agricultural University and later at a fertiliser company. Hence, he was familiar with cyanide.

The victim's parents said Ravi had a criminal bent of mind and was harassing their daughter for the past six months. He was also accused of having illicit relations with other women. Not only was she under pressure to get more money, but she was also being sexually harassed by Ravi, they alleged.