Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jul 17: Police have arrested Chetan Gowda, the accused in the brutal daylight murder of a young woman, Lavanya Gowda, at the KSRTC bus stand in B C Road, Bantwal, on Thursday evening. The accused was traced within 24 hours of the incident.
According to police, Chetan was apprehended at Pacchanady in Vamanjoor near Mangaluru. However, as he had allegedly consumed poison, he was shifted to a government hospital for medical examination and treatment. Police said further details of the case will be shared later.
Lavanya, about 25 years old and a resident of Kakyapadavu in Bantwal, was employed at a private nursing home in Kalladka.
The incident occurred on Thursday at around 5.30 pm. After finishing work, Lavanya had boarded a government bus from B C Road to return home to Kakyapadavu. Police said the accused entered the bus, dragged her outside, and attacked her repeatedly with a machete in full public view.
Although the young woman tried to escape, she was unable to do so. She collapsed in a pool of blood. Local residents rushed her to the government hospital, but doctors declared her dead.
Following the attack, Chetan fled from the scene. He is said to be a relative of the victim. Preliminary investigation indicates that the murder was committed after Lavanya rejected his advances.
According to family members, Lavanya and Chetan had been in a relationship around four years ago but had broken up for undisclosed reasons. Despite the breakup, Chetan allegedly continued to harass her and repeatedly pressured her to resume the relationship.
Eyewitnesses said the two had an argument shortly before the attack, following which Chetan allegedly carried out the fatal assault. Police are continuing their investigation.