A 40-year-old chicken shop owner was allegedly murdered by his wife, her family members and a male friend following a domestic dispute at Bidarahalli in the Avalahalli Police Station limits on Wednesday, with the accused allegedly attempting to make the death appear as a suicide.

The victim, Mubarak Basha, a resident of Bidarahalli, was living with his wife Shahina Banu.

According to a complaint filed by his elder brother Shahul, the couple had been facing marital disputes, and Shahina had allegedly been living separately in Bengaluru for nearly two years before returning to Mubarak 10 months ago.

The complaint stated that Shahul received a call on September 9 around 1 a.m. informing him that Mubarak had died inside the bathroom of his residence. Shahul alleged that when they reached the house, Banu prevented them from seeing Mubarak and that her conduct raised suspicion about the circumstances surrounding his death.

The body was subsequently subjected to post-mortem before being handed over to the family for the last rites.

Based on the complaint, an unnatural death case was registered, and Shahul has sought action against Banu, Aseena and others, alleging their involvement in his brother’s death.

In the inquest report, the police found multiple injuries on Mubarak’s face and body. The post-mortem report suggested that he died due to smothering.