Asked to vacate house over fight, man kills woman

A fight between neighbours resulted in the murder of a 45-year-old woman in Kamakshipalya police station limits on Sunday.

Police said Sarojamma, a resident of 10th Cross, Hoysalanagar in Sunkadakatte, was stabbed to death by Ganesh, a taxi driver. Her daughter Shruti, 25, who tried to intervene, was also stabbed. She suffered serious injuries and is said to be in a critical condition. Sarojamma was staying with Shruti and Parameshwar, a relative. Sarojamma’s husband stayed in Mandya. Ganesh stayed with his family in a neighbouring house in the same building.

Both families were constantly fighting over sharing water. Recently,  Shruti started conducting tuition class for students in her house. The noise caused by students used to disturb Ganesh. He warned Sarojamma and her daughter against conducting the classes.
When Sarojamma complained to Ravi, the building owner, regarding the threats, Ganesh was asked to vacate the house immediately. He obliged, only to return to Sarojamma’s place on Sunday. An altercation broke out between them. He stabbed the woman repeatedly and she succumbed to injuries on the spot. One of the neighbours said Ganesh was embarrassed that he was asked to vacate the house by the owner and he did not get a chance to explain the problems he was facing from Sarojamma’s family.

Ganesh fled the spot and is absconding. It seems to be a pre-planned attack as he had come with a knife, police said. “We have launched a manhunt for him,” said a senior police official.