Bengaluru man stabs cousin of married woman he stalked online; arrested

Bengaluru: A 26-year-old man has been arrested for stabbing a cousin of a married woman he allegedly stalked on social media.

The HAL police identified the suspect as Selva Karthik, a vehicle sales executive from Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, working in Hosur. The victim, Prashanth, is a nephew of the woman's father.

The police said that Karthik had befriended the woman on Instagram. In June, he visited her house, questioned why she had stopped speaking to him, and allegedly threatened her. Her father, Shekar V, and Prashanth intervened and told Karthik to leave her alone as she was married.

Karthik later called her again, demanding she leave her husband and live with him. On July 17, Karthik allegedly threatened to kill her father if she did not resume contact.

That evening, Karthik asked to meet the woman’s father. Shekar and Prashanth met him near Malleshpalya, and all three travelled towards Vibhutipura on Shekar's scooter.

On the way, Karthik allegedly began shouting that there was nothing to discuss and declared he was there to kill them both. He then stabbed Prashanth in the neck.

He tried to stab Shekar. But Shekar escaped as the public began gathering. Karthik fled the spot.

The HAL police have booked Karthik for attempted murder under BNS Section 109. Prashanth is being treated in hospital and is out of danger.