Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 4: A would-be-groom, angered by the fact that the father of the girl with whom he was engaged, had expressed his intention to break the engagement, stabbed him to death.

In this incident, Babu alias Raju (65), a resident of fourth cross in K P Agrahara here, stands murdered. Ramesh (25), an auto rickshaw driver by profession, visited Raju on Friday in the guise of discussing the issue of marriage. He however stabbed Raju to death before fleeing.

Ramesh also happens to stay in K P Agrahara. So, families of Ramesh and Raju knew each other since long. Raju's daughter, Priya, works as an accountant in a private firm at Cottonpet. As both families belong to the same caste and there were no problematic issues, both the families had come together three months back and organized an engagement function relating to the marriage.

Ramesh used to frequent the house of the girl often. The family of Raju also had accompanied Ramesh during his recent tour of various places in the country. In the recent past, however, Raju had developed suspicion about the behavour of Ramesh and had started expressing himself against the alliance. Angered by this unexpected change in Raju's attitude, Ramesh reached Raju's home at 9 am on Friday and questioned him.

Both had heated argument thereafter over the issue. Priya and her aunt, who were in the kitchen at the time, rushed out at this commotion and tried to send Ramesh away. Ramesh, who escaped from their grip, drew a knife, stabbed Raju with it in his stomach, and ran away. Babu was immediately taken to a hospital in an auto rickshaw, but he died on the way. Policemen said that during this friction, Priya also suffered some injuries. A case about the murder stands registered in K P Agrahara police station.

The other witness, Shanti, wife of Raju's elder brother, said that Ramesh rushed into the house and tried to attack Babu, who was lying down. She said that although herself and Priya tried to block him, Ramesh pushed them away before stabbing Babu with knife.