A similar tragic story has emerged from Chikkamagaluru in the wake of a tragic incident in Bhadravati where a widow ended her own life due to alleged police harassment. A 7-year marriage ended in a double tragedy of betrayal and death after the local driver, Manu, took his own life following his wife’s alleged extra-marital affair and a subsequent police complaint against him.
A Love Marriage Turned Sour
Manu, a professional driver known for his hard-working nature, had married Harini from Sakharayapatna seven years ago. Their union was the culmination of a long-term romantic relationship, and for several years, the couple reportedly lived a harmonious life. However, the stability of their household began to crumble recently as Harini allegedly developed a close and illicit relationship with a neighbor named Ashok.
The Discovery And The Confrontation
It all came to a head last night when Manu accessed his wife’s mobile phone. Upon checking her messages, he discovered explicit and incriminating conversations sent by Ashok. Shaken by this discovery, Manu confronted both his wife and the neighbor. According to local reports, the confrontation between Manu and Ashok turned into a heated verbal altercation.
During the fight, Ashok allegedly taunted Manu, openly admitting to the affair and humiliating him by stating that his relationship with Harini was indeed true. Manu was deeply traumatized by this open admission of betrayal.
The "False" Complaint and Social Stigma
After the domestic dispute, Harini approached the Chikkamagaluru Rural Police Station to file a formal complaint against her husband. In her statement, she alleged that Manu had physically assaulted her. When the police summoned Manu for questioning based on Harini’s complaint, he found the social stigma too much to bear.
Friends and family commented that Manu was a man who respected his reputation; being summoned to a police station over what he considered a "false and malicious" complaint by his own wife was the final blow to his mental health. “So much for his honour in front of everyone in the village.”
A Tragic Resolution and a Search for Justice
Manu ended his life because he couldn’t bear the double burden of infidelity from his wife and the weight of a police case that had become too legal. His death has prompted outrage in the community, especially after another suicide triggered by police intervention in nearby Bhadravati.
Manu’s grieving parents immediately placed the blame on Harini and Ashok. “The actions of Harini and Ashok have led directly to our son’s death. Their illicit relationship and the psychological torture they put him through led to this tragedy,” his parents said while insisting on tough measures.
Current Investigation
Based on the complaint put forward by the parents of Manu, the Chikkamagaluru Rural Police have registered a case of unnatural death. The authorities are investigating the timeline of events, the nature of the messages found on the mobile phone, and the validity of the assault complaint filed by Harini. This incident provides a sobering testament to the deadly toll of domestic discord and the psychological toll of social defamation.
