The Bengaluru police Sunday arrested a 60-year-old man who allegedly set fire to his former live-in partner on a busy Bengaluru road the day before. The victim, who had sustained 60 per cent burns in the incident, succumbed to her injuries on Monday.
The police identified the deceased as Vanajakshi, 35, a resident of Bilwaradahalli in Bannerghatta, where the accused, Vittal, also resides. Vittal works as a cab driver.
Officers said the incident took place at around 12.30 pm on Saturday when Vanajakshi was traveling with her relative, Muniyappa, in a car. Vittal, who was following the car, blocked them on the Hommadevanahalli Main Road and poured petrol on the two. As they tried to escape, Vanajakshi fell and Vittal used a lighter to set her ablaze. She was rushed to Victoria Hospital and was under treatment till Monday.
The Hulimavu police have registered a case of murder. According to an officer, Vittal was married twice. “His first wife died, and he later married another woman. She separated from him and fled with another man. Meanwhile, Vanajakshi too had separated from her husband. He died six months ago. Vittal had befriended Vanajakshi and the two were in a live-in relationship for the last few years,” the officer said.
Recently, however, Vanajakshi started avoiding him and befriended another man, the police said. The duo frequently fought over this. On Saturday, Vittal was aware that Vanajakshi would be traveling in the car, and he carried five litres of petrol to kill her, an officer stated.
Speaking to The Indian Express, M Narayana, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Electronic City, said, “Vanajakshi was in a relationship with Vittal, but she moved out as he frequently harassed her under the influence of alcohol. He had tried to attack her previously too, and two cases were registered at different police stations.”
The police said further probe is underway into the case.