Prosecutors allege digital evidence, phone records and an alleged extramarital relationship played a key role in the case
PRAVASISAMWAD.COM
An Indian software engineer from Telangana has been charged with first-degree murder in the United States over the death of his wife, nearly eight months after she was found dead at their apartment in Bellevue, Washington.
According to prosecutors in King County, 30-year-old Avinash Narne allegedly strangled his 27-year-old wife, Raajitha Sabbineni, in October 2025 before attempting to stage the incident as a medical emergency. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody on bail of USD 5 million. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment under Washington state law.
Police were initially called to the couple’s apartment after Narne reported that his wife was locked inside the bathroom and was not responding. Emergency personnel forced the door open and found Sabbineni unconscious. She was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination later ruled the death a homicide caused by asphyxia due to strangulation.
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Investigators said the case gathered momentum after forensic analysis and digital evidence contradicted Narne’s account of events
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Electronic door-lock records indicated that no one else entered the apartment during the period he claimed to have been away
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Authorities also examined phone records, internet searches and deleted messages recovered during the investigation
Court documents further allege that Narne had been involved in a long-term relationship with a woman in India before and after his arranged marriage. Prosecutors claim he remained in contact with the woman on the day of his wife’s death and allegedly sent her a photograph of Sabbineni’s body afterwards. Investigators also reviewed messages suggesting the victim had complained that drinks prepared by her husband tasted unusual shortly before her death.
The case has attracted significant attention among the Indian diaspora in the United States. Narne is scheduled to appear before the court later this month as criminal proceedings continue.
