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Bengaluru: A 35-year-old woman was hacked to death by her husband in the middle of the street in Chikkathoguru, southern Bengaluru, on Friday evening, police said.
Krishnappa, 43, a daily wage worker, had allegedly plotted his wife Sharadha’s murder and waited on Chikkathoguru Road for over four hours. Around 7:45 pm, when Sharadha was seen walking back home from work, Krishnappa ambushed her and slit her throat with a knife he had bought earlier that morning, according to the police.
“After slitting her throat, he fled the scene by dodging passersby and threatening them with the knife. However, we received a call regarding the incident, and a Hoysala vehicle that was nearby reached the spot and arrested the suspect within five minutes,” an investigator told DH.
Police investigations indicate that the suspect and Sharadha, who had been living in Bagepalli, Chikkaballapur, had separated four years ago due to frequent disagreements and fights.
Sharadha had since moved to Bengaluru and started working as a house help, while Krishnappa continued working as a daily wager in Bagepalli. Their 16-year-old son stayed with Krishnappa, and their 12-year-old daughter lived with Sharadha.
Despite living apart, the suspect often visited Sharadha and physically assaulted her, suspecting she was having an affair.
Police said Krishnappa had premeditated the murder and had purchased two knives on the same day. He boarded a bus from Bagepalli in the afternoon and reached Bengaluru around 2:30 pm. He arrived at Electronics City by 3:30 pm and waited for Sharadha.
“He knew her usual route home because he would frequently visit the city to assault her whenever he grew suspicious. She had shared her ordeal with her relatives but had never filed a formal police complaint,” the investigator added.
Police said Krishnappa was intoxicated before the attack and was not in his senses.
He slashed Sharadha’s neck more than twice, leaving her in a pool of blood. Though she was rushed to a nearby hospital, doctors declared her brought dead. Police have taken Krishnappa into custody and seized both knives. He has been booked under BNS Section 103 for murder.