A man from Tamil Nadu, driven by unreciprocated love, allegedly attacked a relative of the woman he was obsessed with after she rejected his advances, citing her marriage. The violent incident occurred in Bengaluru’s HAL locality, where the suspect, riding pillion on a scooter with the victim, reportedly slit his throat, according to police on Sunday.
The accused, Selva Karthik from Uthangarai in Krishnagiri district, had developed an infatuation with a married woman he followed on Instagram. Despite the woman’s repeated refusals and warnings, Karthik persistently harassed her, issuing threats to harm her and her family if she didn’t leave her husband.
In June, the woman had temporarily moved to her parental home in Kaggadasapura. There, Karthik appeared uninvited, demanding she accept his romantic proposal. She firmly clarified that they were nothing more than acquaintances on Instagram.
After numerous threats, her family intervened and traveled to Bengaluru. On July 17, Karthik called her father and insisted on a face-to-face meeting in Malleswaram. During the meet-up, he persuaded the woman’s father and cousin, Prashanth, to ride with him to Vibhutipura. Midway through the journey, Karthik, riding pillion, allegedly pulled out a knife and slashed Prashanth’s neck, while threatening to kill them both.
The woman’s father managed to stop the vehicle, drawing public attention. Karthik escaped with the weapon. Prashanth was rushed to a nearby clinic and later transferred to Manipal Hospital’s ICU.
The HAL police have filed a case of attempted murder. Karthik is in custody, and a psychological assessment is underway.