Tamil Nadu Man Stabs Wife to Death Inside Karur Hospital After Domestic Dispute

KARUR, Tamil Nadu—A 28-year-old man, R. Vishruth, stabbed his 27-year-old wife, V. Shruthi, to death at Kulithalai Government Hospital in Karur district on Sunday, July 20, 2025, following a violent domestic dispute the previous night.

The fatal attack occurred while Shruthi, a private school teacher and mother of two, was receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the earlier altercation with her husband. Vishruth, an on-call driver, is on the run, and the police have launched a manhunt to apprehend him.

Incident at Kulithalai Government Hospital

The incident unfolded after a heated argument between the couple at their residence in Pattavarthi, Karur, late Saturday night. Vishruth allegedly assaulted Shruthi, causing injuries severe enough to require hospitalization.

Neighbors, including Ramasamy, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, rushed Shruthi to the Kulithalai Government Hospital, where she was admitted to the emergency ward unconscious.

Early Sunday morning, Vishruth entered the hospital under the pretense of visiting her while concealing a knife. He stabbed her multiple times (approximately three), killing her instantly, and fled the scene. Hospital staff and bystanders, shocked by the sudden attack, were unable to intervene.

Police Investigation and Motive

The Kulithalai police registered a murder case based on a complaint from hospital staff and sent Shruthi’s body for a post-mortem at the Government Medical College Hospital in Karur.

According to Hindustan Times, Deputy Superintendent of Police Senthil Kumar stated that Vishruth “had suspected that his wife was having an affair,” which led to a violent altercation between the couple on Saturday night. Following the assault, Shruthi was hospitalized for her injuries. Kumar added, “We have registered a case based on the doctor’s complaint. Search operations are ongoing. We will catch the accused soon.”

The incident has sparked outrage, highlighting vulnerabilities in hospital security and increasing cases of domestic violence in Tamil Nadu.

Rising Domestic Violence in Tamil Nadu

This tragedy adds to a series of recent domestic violence cases in the state.

In another chilling case from April, a 62-year-old man in Tiruchi district allegedly poured kerosene on his sleeping wife and set her on fire. The incident, believed to have stemmed from a prolonged family dispute, resulted in the woman’s death.

More recently, a female councilor affiliated with the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) party was brutally murdered by her husband in the Avadi district. The attack was reportedly triggered by suspicions of infidelity.

The victim, Gomathi, had been seen speaking with a man in the Thiruninravur area when her husband, Stephen Raj, confronted her. Following a heated argument, he allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed her multiple times, killing her on the spot. Stephen later surrendered to the Thiruninravur police and confessed to the murder.

These recurring acts of violence have prompted social activists to call for stricter domestic abuse law enforcement, improved hospital security protocols, and the establishment of crisis response centers for victims.

Call for Action and Reforms

Shruthi and Vishruth, married for seven years, are survived by two children. The Karur police continue their investigation, urging the public to provide information on Vishruth’s whereabouts.

The murder underscores the urgent need for systemic measures to address domestic violence and protect vulnerable individuals in public spaces like hospitals.

(Rh/Eth/PB/MSM/SE)