Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Dec 24: In a shocking incident that unfolded on a busy Bengaluru street, a 40-year-old software professional allegedly shot his estranged wife dead during the evening rush hour on Tuesday before surrendering to police with the firearm.
The victim, Bhuvaneshwari (39), was an assistant manager at Union Bank of India’s Basaveshwaranagar branch. The accused, Balamurugan (40), worked at a private IT firm. Both are natives of Salem district in Tamil Nadu.
Police said the shooting occurred around 6.30 pm on 1st Main Road in the Rajajinagar Industrial Area.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the accused fired four rounds at close range. Two bullets hit the victim’s head, while the remaining two struck her hand, causing fatal injuries,” said a police official.
Bhuvaneshwari had been living with the couple’s two children — a 12-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter — in a rented house in Rajajinagar, while Balamurugan was residing separately and working in Whitefield. The couple, married in 2011, had been living apart for about one-and-a-half years following repeated quarrels.
Investigators said Balamurugan suspected his wife of having an extra-marital affair, though this claim “has not been substantiated.” Bhuvaneshwari had reportedly sought legal separation, which the accused was unwilling to accept.
According to police, the tensions escalated six months ago when Bhuvaneshwari was transferred from the Whitefield branch of her bank and moved to a new rented house with her children without informing her husband. Four months ago, after tracing her new address, Balamurugan allegedly quit his IT job and relocated to Cholurpalya in Kempapura Agrahara to stay closer to her.
“The matter further intensified about a week ago when the accused received a divorce notice from his wife. Enraged, he allegedly decided to kill her,” said a senior officer.
After the shooting, Balamurugan reportedly walked into a nearby police station with the pistol and surrendered.
Authorities have seized the weapon and registered a murder case. Senior police officials visited the site, and a detailed investigation is underway to establish the full sequence of events.