Mandya: A 40-year-old man, who had divorced his wife four years ago, has allegedly murdered the woman by slitting her throat with a knife and has also bludgeoned her with a stone. The incident took place at Ragimuddanahalli in the taluk on Friday evening.

While the deceased has been identified as Shalini (32), the accused is Suresh (40). Suresh and Shalini, both from Ragimuddanahalli, had married 15 years ago after they fell in love with each other. They had two daughters. Due to differences in opinions, they separated after getting divorced four years ago.

After getting divorced, Shalini was staying in her father’s house along with her daughters and was working in a private factory at Kalenahalli village. It is learnt that even after getting a divorce, Suresh used to go to Shalini’s house frequently and create ruckus. The issue had even reached the doors of the Police Station.

But on Friday evening, Suresh, who was waiting for Shalini to come from work, allegedly slit her throat with a knife on her arrival and even smashed her head with a boulder.

After committing the crime, Suresh is said to have been moving freely in the village as if nothing had happened.

But following a complaint from Shalini’s brother, Mandya Rural Police, who had registered a case, arrested Suresh on Saturday afternoon.

During interrogation, accused Suresh is said to have told the Police that Shalini never allowed the children to meet him even during Sankranti festival and hence he had killed her.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Yatish said that Shalini’s brother has stated that she (Shalini) had lodged complaints against Suresh in 2012 and 2014 and a case under POCSO Act in 2014. Recently, Suresh had asked Shalini to live with him and had even  threatened her.