Sign in

Karnataka man kills wife for excessive watching of Instagram reels: Report

In Udupi, Karnataka, a 27-year-old woman was allegedly murdered by her husband after an argument about her Instagram usage. 

Published on: Jun 21, 2025, 13:22:59 IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

In a shocking case from Karnataka’s Udupi district, a 27-year-old woman was allegedly murdered by her husband following a quarrel over her watching Instagram reels, reported The Hindu. The incident took place on Thursday night under the Shankaranarayana police limits, and has once again brought attention to the dark side of digital obsession and domestic discord.

A man was arrested by Karnataka police for allegedly killing his wife for watching Instagram reels: Report. (Pexels)
A man was arrested by Karnataka police for allegedly killing his wife for watching Instagram reels: Report. (Pexels)

Also Read - Mass demonstration held at Bengaluru's Vidhana Soudha to mark 11th International Yoga Day

Frequent arguments over social media usage

According to the report, the accused, Ganesh Poojary, 42, worked as a painter and lived in Hosamatha, Hiliyana village in Brahmavara taluk. His wife, Rekha, was employed as an attendant at a fuel station in Shankaranarayana. Investigations revealed that the couple frequently argued over Rekha's habit of watching reels on her mobile phone, a matter serious enough to have earlier drawn police intervention. Authorities had previously taken an undertaking from the couple after being alerted to their domestic disputes.

On the night of the murder, Poojary reportedly returned home late and lost his temper upon finding Rekha once again watching reels. The argument quickly escalated, and in a fit of rage, he allegedly attacked her with a machete, fatally striking her on the neck.

Also Read - Karnataka proposes stringent law to combat fake news and misinformation on social media. ‘7 year jail term and…’

Police arrested Poojary soon after the incident and have registered a case of murder.

In a similar incident reported earlier from PG Palya in Chamarajanagar district, a 33-year-old man named Kumar died by suicide, allegedly unable to cope with his wife’s excessive engagement with Instagram reels.

Kumar’s family claimed that he had been facing emotional distress due to frequent taunts from friends about videos his wife had uploaded online. Despite expressing his discomfort and objections, his wife reportedly continued to make and post reels, leading to frequent arguments between the couple.

When the tension reportedly reached a breaking point, Kumar took the extreme step and was found hanging from a tree. Police said that no suicide note was found, but a preliminary inquiry pointed to social media as a contributing factor in the domestic dispute.

  • HT News Desk
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    HT News Desk

    Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest City News, local updates, weather alerts and breaking stories from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major cities across India on Hindustan Times.