A 20-year-old Bachelor of Pharmacy student, Yamini Priya, was murdered in broad daylight near the Mantri Square Mall area in Bengaluru on October 16, 2025. The accused, Vignesh, and his associate Harish, have now been arrested by the police. The case has sparked outrage across Karnataka, drawing attention to stalking-related violence, women’s safety in urban spaces, and the importance of early intervention in harassment cases.
According to the Bengaluru Police, Yamini Priya, a first-year student at a pharmacy college in Hosakerehalli, Banashankari, was returning home after an exam when she was attacked around 2:15 pm near the railway tracks behind Mantri Square Mall in Malleswaram. Investigations revealed that the accused Vignesh, who lives across the victim's house, had created a WhatsApp group named “Mission Yamini Priya” to monitor the victim’s movements and plan the assault after she rejected his advances. Using the group, he allegedly tracked her daily route and identified a time when she would be walking alone.
On the day of the incident, Vignesh reportedly arrived on a motorcycle, struck Yamini from behind, and when she fell to the ground, threw chilli powder into her face to disorient her. He then stabbed her in the neck, causing fatal injuries. The attack took place in public view, and despite immediate alerts by bystanders, Yamini succumbed to her wounds before medical assistance could reach her.
Following the incident, police said Vignesh fled the scene in an auto-rickshaw with the help of Harish and later went into hiding with his parents. A special team tracked and arrested both accused within 24 hours.
Preliminary investigation indicates that Vignesh had been stalking Yamini for over a year. In April 2024, his family had approached Yamini’s parents with a marriage proposal, which she rejected. This rejection reportedly led to resentment, and he began following and harassing her. The victim’s parents told media outlets that they had filed a police complaint earlier regarding his stalking behaviour. Officers had made Vignesh sign an undertaking promising not to approach her again, but no formal legal action was taken at the time.
The investigation team has seized his mobile phone and recovered digital evidence, including the “Mission Yamini Priya” WhatsApp group, which detailed his plans and conversations with Harish.
A case under Section 103 (Murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and related sections concerning criminal conspiracy and harassment has been registered at the Srirampura Police Station. Forensic teams have examined the crime scene, collected blood and weapon samples, and retrieved CCTV footage from nearby areas to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Stalking and relationship-based violence are significant stressors that affect not only physical safety but also mental health among young adults. Victims often experience anxiety, hyper-vigilance, and depressive symptoms long before violence escalates. Public-health experts stress that early intervention—through awareness campaigns, college counselling services, and prompt police response to harassment reports—can prevent such tragedies.
Urban safety planning, including well-lit pedestrian routes, CCTV surveillance, and safety patrols near isolated areas like railway tracks, can also reduce risk exposure for students commuting alone.
The incident highlights the urgent need for strengthened anti-stalking protocols in academic and law-enforcement systems. Educational institutions should create confidential reporting mechanisms for students facing harassment, ensure that complaints trigger follow-up counselling and police coordination, and sensitise staff to recognise warning signs.
Mental-health professionals emphasise that individuals exhibiting obsessive or controlling behaviour may need psychological evaluation and therapeutic intervention. Addressing emotional regulation and rejection sensitivity early can prevent escalation into violence.
The murder of Yamini Priya is a stark reminder of the consequences of untreated harassment, lack of early enforcement, and insufficient protective structures for women. While both accused are now in custody, the case calls for a holistic response—legal, institutional, and mental-health oriented—to safeguard students and prevent gender-based violence in urban settings.
(Rh/eth/TL)