Published Jul 16, 2026 | 9:19 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 16, 2026 | 9:19 PM
The victim, identified as Lavanya, a resident of Kakkepadavu village in Bantwal taluk, was attacked with a machete at around 6 pm.
Synopsis: A 20-year-old woman was hacked to death at a KSRTC bus stand in Bantwal, Dakshina Kannada, on 16 July after allegedly rejecting a relative’s advances. The killing came a day after a 22-year-old law student died from injuries sustained in a knife attack in Bengaluru after she allegedly ended a romantic relationship.
A 20-year-old woman was hacked to death at the KSRTC Bus Stand in Bantwal, Dakshina Kannada district, on Thursday evening, 16 July.
It was the second broad-daylight attack on a woman in a public place in Karnataka this week, allegedly carried out after she rejected a man’s advances, a day after a 22-year-old law student succumbed to injuries sustained in a knife attack in Bengaluru.
The victim, identified as Lavanya, a resident of Kakkepadavu village in Bantwal taluk, was attacked with a machete at around 6 pm. Police identified the accused as Chetan, a distant relative who reportedly harboured unrequited feelings for her.
According to the police, Lavanya called a relative while travelling on a bus to say that a man was sitting beside her. She then got off the bus at the BC Road KSRTC Bus Stand, where the assailant allegedly followed and attacked her before fleeing the scene. The accused left the weapon behind.
Bystanders rushed Lavanya to the Taluk Government Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police K Arun said special teams had been formed to trace the accused. Bantwal Town Police have registered a case of murder and launched an investigation.
Also Read: Chinnaswamy stadium stampede: Suspension of 3 IPS officers revoked
The killing came a day after Amrutha, a fourth-year law student, died in hospital on the evening of 15 July after battling for her life for more than 48 hours. She had been stabbed at around 4.30 pm on 13 July in Kodihalli on HAL Road.
According to the preliminary investigation, Amrutha, the accused Dhanush G, and his younger brother, Surya G, were from the same locality.
The two families became acquainted through religious gatherings, during which Amrutha and Dhanush developed a close friendship that later turned into a romantic relationship.
Police said Amrutha ended the relationship after allegedly discovering that Dhanush had concealed the fact that he had previously been married, was divorced, and had a child.
Police said Surya became enraged by her decision and, on 13 July, allegedly attacked her at her residence with a knife, stabbing her in the chest and back before fleeing.
Locals caught Surya at the scene, while Amrutha’s family shifted her to hospital, where she remained under treatment until she succumbed to her injuries.
The JB Nagar police arrested both Dhanush and Surya following the attack and registered a case.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
