Disclaimer:Â The article contains descriptions of murder. So, a trigger warning is in effect.
Social media was created so that people can share information and get to know individuals with similar preferences. However, for the past decade or so, it has became a place for meeting your significant other as well. One such example is that of Raju and Sushma, who got married after meeting on Facebook. But their wedded life ended in a tragic manner.
According to Times of India, Raju, a resident of Gangondanahalli, had befriended Sushma, from Kyathsandra, over Facebook two years ago. Six months ago they got married and gave birth to a child, who was 3 months old when Raju brutally killed them.
Reportedly, Raju was upset that Sushma spent most of her time on Facebook and Instagram, and neglected her daily chores like cooking or cleaning. In addition to that, he also suspected her of chatting with other people. However, on confronting her, it turned into a fight, leading Raju to come to the conclusion that he had to kill her.
The murders committed by Raju came to the police’s attention after Sushma’s mother lodged a complaint at Madanayakanahalli police station. And apparently, he confessed to having murdered his wife and baby. The probe office said,
“This is perhaps the first time that we have come across a murder triggered by social media addiction. It is a pointer to how social media can wreak havoc in rural families.”
According to Raju, on January 20th, he took Sushma and the baby (who wasn’t even named) to a eucalyptus grove off the Hejjal-Mutturayanapura Road near Kumbalgodu forest area. Here, he hit her on the head with a stone and kept doing so until she died. Then he proceeded to burn her body and strangle the boy. After that he fled the spot.
Although the police is putting the whole blame on social media, it might be a case of hasty decision making. The couple knew each other for merely two years over Facebook and it’s evident that both of them had unrealistic expectations from each other. So, let this case be an example of not confusing online relationships with reality and hope that Raju gets the punishment he deserves.