A 49-year-old man from Kundapur in Udupi district died of stab wounds and his 40-year-old wife was injured after they were attacked by armed miscreants in Munich in Germany on Saturday.
The deceased has been identified as B V Prashant from Basrur and his wife Smitha is said to be recovering.
The couple’s families are in the dark about the chain of events that led to the stabbing. Smitha reportedly needs three to four weeks’ rest to recover from the stab wounds. Prashant’s parents, the late B N Venktramana and mother Vinaya, natives of Hosanagar in Shivamogga, had shifted to Basrur near Kundapur a decade ago.
Prashant, who was an engineer, and Smitha were working for the same firm. Prashant’s brother-in-law Srinivas said Prashant’s mother and Smitha’s parents will fly to Munich once the Indian embassy provides them detailed information about the stabbing incident.
Smitha’s father Dr Chandramouli is an Ayurveda doctor in Siddapur near Kundapur.Chandramouli’s relative Umesh said he was shocked to learn about Prashant’s death.
“We are told by the officials that all arrangements have been made to bring back Prashant’s body at the earliest. We also received information that Smitha, whose condition was critical, is now showing signs of recovery,” he said.
The couple has a daughter Sakhshya (15) and son Shloka (10).Smitha’s brother Sujaya said documents were being readied to enable the couple’s families to reach Germany at the earliest. Dr Chandramouli had visited Smitha’s house in Munich a few months ago.
Villagers in Siddapur said Smitha had attended the alumni meet organised at Bhandarkar’s College in Kundapur a year ago.
Former minister Jayaprakash Hegde has assured all help and offered to get the passport issues sorted out at the earliest. A few family members will travel to Bengaluru on Monday to complete the formalities at the passport office.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday asked the Consulate General of India in Munich to take care of Sakhshya and Shloka.
“I have asked our mission to take care of their two children,” Sushma posted on Twitter.
She also lauded the role of Consulate General of India in Munich in helping Smitha and her children after Prashant succumbed to his injuries.
Sushma tweeted,“We are facilitating the travel of Prashant’s brother to Germany. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.”