Home Guard Brutally Murdered by Husband in Bengaluru

A Home Guard was brutally murdered by her husband in Bengaluru after he lured her to a reconciliation meeting.

BENGALURU: A shocking domestic tragedy unfolded in Mahadevapura when a home guard was stabbed to death by her husband in front of their two children and family members after he reportedly lured her into a reconciliation meeting and attacked her with a knife. The deceased has been identified as Manjula (32). She was serving as a home guard attached to the Mahadevapura police station. The accused husband has been identified as Pradeep. The incident occurred on Sunday evening at her parental residence in B Narayanapura. Based on the preliminary investigation, police said Pradeep had become addicted to online betting and had been facing financial and family problems. Before the murder, he reportedly recorded selfie videos claiming that the betting habit had ruined his family and stating that both he and his wife would die. A senior officer said that Manjula had been living separately at her parental home after years of marital discord. Family members alleged that Pradeep frequently suspected her character and even questioned the paternity of their children. Unable to bear the harassment, she had moved away from him. On Sunday, Pradeep visited Manjula's house claiming he wanted to apologise and reconcile. He reportedly begged for forgiveness and requested her to return home. However, police said he had concealed a knife inside his jacket. During an argument, when Manjula moved near him, Pradeep pulled her close and stabbed her repeatedly, inflicting around 20 knife wounds. The brutal attack took place in front of their children, leaving the family traumatised. After the attack, the accused allegedly attempted to harm himself by slashing his hand before fleeing the scene. Manjula succumbed to her injuries. Mahadevapura Police registered a murder case and launched a manhunt. The accused was later traced and arrested. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and further investigation is underway. In the selfie video, Pradeep stated that he could not live without his wife. "I had called my in-laws and spoken to them to solve the issues between us. I knew she would return home after work in the evening. When I apologise to her, if she refuses to come back to me, I will immediately kill her. My wife is really a good person; she is influenced by her family members." He also apologised to family members and friends. He suggested that people should not play online games. "Because of gaming, my marital life is ruined. My wife and children came to the streets. Both my wife and I are dying today. Money is the most important thing in life." Manjula’s mother told the media that she and her son had attended the funeral of a relative and returned home around 7 pm. They found Pradeep apologising to Manjula. She and her son were heading to take a bath. On the pretext of falling at Manjula’s feet, he pulled her legs and stabbed her multiple times. When they rushed her to a nearby government hospital, doctors declared that she had been brought dead. Pradeep has lost over Rs 7 lakh to Rs 8 lakh in online betting. He used to suspect Manjula’s fidelity when she attended duty and returned home late. Unable to bear the harassment, she had decided to divorce him and had approached a lawyer and filed a petition. The torture had become more severe since January this year, she added.