Mohan tried to kill his first victim by pushing her off a bridge into the river Nethravathi in the temple town of Dharmasthala. The woman was rescued and a case of attempted murder registered, but the case fell through in a local court.



He was dismissed from his teaching job in 2005 after his arrest in the case.

Mohan learnt about cyanide from a goldsmith who told him about its use in polishing gold. He allegedly posed as a goldsmith and obtained the poison from a chemist in Puttur.

He was extremely intelligent and cold blooded. But like other criminals he left many traces. For instance, he used several names while checking into lodges, but gave the same address.  

Dressed in a well-ironed light blue shirt and pale brown trousers, Mohan walks confidently into the packed court of Ninganagowda Jantli. The court is taking up three cases for now — that of Anitha, Sunanda Poojary and Leelavathi Mestri.