On September 23, 2025, Bengaluru police registered a murder case after a 32-year-old woman named K. Rekha was fatally stabbed 11 times by her husband Lohitashwa in broad daylight at the Sunkadakatte bus stand on Magadi Road.
The shocking attack occurred in the presence of their 12-year-old daughter, leaving the community in shock. Authorities suspect marital discord, possibly related to suspicions of an extramarital affair, as the primary motive behind the crime.
Rekha, originally from Sira, had relocated to Bengaluru just four months prior to the incident. She was previously married and had a daughter from that marriage.
Following her separation, Rekha secretly wed Lohitashwa, who was also divorced. In a gesture of support, she had helped him secure a driver’s position at her workplace, highlighting the close personal and professional ties between them before the tragic events unfolded.
Rekha had been married to Lohitashwa for approximately three months, following a one-and-a-half-year courtship. The couple lived in a rented house in Kebehalli, while Rekha’s younger daughter, aged 9, stayed with her parents in Sira.
On the morning of the incident, an argument reportedly broke out between the couple at the bus stand. Lohitashwa allegedly stabbed Rekha, delivering a total of 11 stab wounds. Some reports mention she was stabbed twice first, then dragged a short distance before receiving the remaining wounds.
Bystanders tried to intervene, but Lohitashwa swung the knife, forcing them to stay back, before fleeing the scene. Rekha was rushed to a nearby private hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Later the same day, Lohitashwa, 43, son of Rangaiah, surrendered at the Kamakshipalya police station. Investigators confirmed that marital discord and suspicions of extramarital affairs may have triggered the attack.
Police have registered a murder case and are collecting statements from witnesses to piece together the exact sequence of events.
A nationwide analysis reported that approximately one-third of ever-married women in India have experienced some form of violence—whether physical, sexual, or emotional—during their lifetime. This study identified multiple predictors linked to higher risk, including lower educational attainment, economic dependence, and social norms favoring male control. 1
Kamakshipalya police are now investigating the couple’s background, looking into whether Rekha had raised prior complaints or sought assistance regarding domestic issues.
Preliminary reports indicate there had been tensions in the marriage, but no formal complaint had been lodged prior to the incident.
Reference:
1. Mishra, S. K., S. S. Singh, and P. N. Kumar. “Prevalence and Predictors of Domestic Violence in India.” Indian Journal of Community Medicine 30, no. 3 (2005): 84–91. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11370985/
(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)