A 26-year-old nurse was critically injured after her estranged husband attacked her with a machete and threw a liquid suspected to be acid near a private health facility in Bengaluru’s JP Nagar on Thursday. The incident has led to a police case and has also drawn the attention of the Karnataka State Commission for Women, which, according to the information given, has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter.
The victim was identified as Madhumitha, who was a resident of West Bengal and had been working as a nurse at a Narayana healthcare center in JP Nagar. Police said the attack took place at 9.15 am in the basement parking area of the building. Madhumitha was attacked after stepping out of the clinic.
Husband Allegedly Chased Nurse Before Attack
According to police information reported by several news media, the accused is Venkatesh, a native of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The accused arrived on a motorcycle near the clinic with sharp weapons and a bottle containing a liquid suspected to be acid, police said.
The woman was chased towards the parking area where the accused repeatedly attacked her with a machete and threw the liquid at her. Members of the public also intervened, said sources close to the incident. The traffic police sub-inspector who was nearby also intervened, and the accused was taken into custody and handed over to the JP Nagar police.
The exact nature of the liquid used in the attack is still being looked into. Police have collected samples from the scene and are sending them for forensic analysis to determine whether the substance was acid or another chemical.
Nurse Undergoing Treatment
Madhumitha sustained serious injuries in the attack and was transferred to a private hospital for treatment. She was said to be in critical condition after the incident and to be in an intensive care unit.
The incident occurred at the JP Nagar police station. Police registered a case following the complaint and are questioning the accused as part of the investigation.
The attack also raised concerns since it took place in a public area in the early morning hours and several people were around the healthcare facility.
Karnataka Women’s Commission Takes Suo Motu Cognisance
Karnataka State Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognizance of the case, treating the alleged attack on the woman as a serious matter.
According to the information in the documents, the Commission has written to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Division, for details of the actions taken in the case. It has also asked for a report on the action of the authorities against the accused.
The intervention will be made as the police investigation continues. The Commission’s involvement will bring even wider institutional attention to the circumstances of the attack and the safety of the victim.
Marital Dispute Under Investigation
Police reports have said Madhumitha and Venkatesh had been living separately for about a year after disagreements in their marriage. Different reports have given slightly different details about the year of their marriage, with accounts placing it in 2023 or 2024.
Some of the reports stated that the couple met through a dating app before getting married in Madurai. Police are investigating the reasons behind their separation and the motive behind the attack.
The accused remains in police custody, and investigators will examine the sequence of events, the weapons allegedly used, and the substance thrown at the victim. Forensic examination of the liquid and further questioning will help to determine what really happened in this case.
The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations against the accused will be subject to the due process of law.
