Betting Driver Kills Wife in Front of Children

A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday evening in Bengaluru when a 38-year-old autorickshaw driver, Pradeep Kumar, brutally murdered his wife, Manjula, a home guard. The couple's two young children witnessed the horrific event. Pradeep allegedly stabbed Manjula 15 times at her parents' residence, feigning reconciliation. This act stemmed from his significant financial losses, amounting to nearly Rs 8 lakh, due to online betting, a habit he admitted to in selfie videos recorded hours before the attack.

Manjula and her children had been residing with her parents since June 11 due to frequent marital disputes. Family members indicated Pradeep harbored suspicions about his wife's fidelity. He arrived at his in-laws' home on Sunday evening, purportedly to reconcile, but instead attacked Manjula with a knife. She was rushed to KR Pura Government Hospital but was declared dead upon arrival. Pradeep fled the scene and was later apprehended by police at a lorry parking area, where he had also attempted to harm himself.

Manjula had recently decided to seek a divorce and had filed a petition on Saturday after enduring harassment. She had previously lodged complaints against Pradeep, and the couple had undergone counseling and reconciliation attempts in the past. During the fatal assault, Manjula's daughter reportedly sustained injuries to her fingers while trying to intervene.