Husband on the run; Police face negligence charge

Chamarajanagar: Alleged Police negligence has cost the life of a woman who was brutally hacked to death by her husband just metres away from the Chamarajanagar Town Police Station on Tuesday.

The incident has triggered public outrage, with growing calls for accountability over the Police’s handling of the case, particularly their failure to act on known threats to the victim’s life.

The victim, Vidya, a resident of Somwarapet in Chamarajanagar town, was attacked with a sickle by her husband Girish following a prolonged domestic dispute, reportedly over a suspected extramarital affair.

Ignored threats, fatal outcome

Despite prior threats to her life, Vidya was sent unescorted from the Police Station to the Mahila Santhvana Kendra, where she had been temporarily housed.

Members of the public have criticised the Police for failing to provide her protection, saying a woman constable should have accompanied her or that Girish should have been held back at the Station until she safely returned to the shelter. That crucial lapse proved fatal.

Girish, who had reportedly been harassing Vidya even during her stay at the shelter, attacked her with a sickle as she exited the Police Station. She was left lying in a pool of blood and died on the spot. Girish fled the scene and remains at large.

A troubled marriage

Vidya, originally from Karinanjipura, had been married to Girish for several years, and the couple has two children. Tensions had been brewing due to Girish’s suspicions of infidelity.

Around three months ago, Vidya left home and began living with Srinath, a man from Doddabhuvalli.

After Girish filed a missing person complaint, the Police traced Vidya to Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and brought her back. During questioning, she made it clear that she did not wish to return either to her husband’s house or her parental home. She was then sent to the Mahila Santhvana Kendra for protection.

Frequent quarrels

Girish, furious over her decision, frequently visited the shelter and quarrelled with her. Fed up with the harassment, Vidya lodged a formal complaint against him. In response, the Police summoned both parties to the Station for a counselling session.

During the meeting, Vidya reiterated that she could not continue living with Girish. The Police then advised both to settle their differences in Court and warned Girish against approaching or harassing her in the meantime. Despite this, the Police allowed Vidya to leave alone, unaware that Girish was waiting to strike.

Superintendent of Police Dr. B.T. Kavitha visited the crime scene and inspected the area. Chamarajanagar Town Police have registered a case and launched a manhunt to trace Girish, who remains absconding.