Man arrested after hacking woman to death at Bantwal KSRTC bus stand

A 22-year-old man was arrested on Friday for allegedly hacking a 24-year-old woman to death at the KSRTC New Bus Stand on B C Road in Bantwal, Dakshina Kannada district, on Thursday evening. The attack occurred around 6:00 PM in full public view after the victim reportedly rejected the romantic advances of the suspect.

The victim, identified as Lavanya, was a resident of Kakkepadavu village in the Dakshina Kannada district. She was employed at a private nursing home located in Kalladka. The accused, identified as 22-year-old Chetan, is a distant relative of the victim.

According to the police, Lavanya was waiting for a bus at the KSRTC New Bus Stand on Thursday evening when Chetan approached her. He had allegedly concealed a machete inside his bag. Upon noticing the weapon, Lavanya attempted to run away from him.

Chetan allegedly chased her through the public area and attacked her repeatedly with the machete. He then fled the scene, leaving the weapon behind at the bus stand.

Bystanders at the bus stand rushed the severely injured Lavanya to the Bantwal Taluk Government Hospital. However, doctors at the facility declared her dead on arrival.

Following the incident, the Bantwal Town Police registered a murder case. Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police K Arun stated that the police department had constituted special teams to trace and apprehend the accused.

Chetan was arrested on Friday. Police officials revealed that the accused had attempted to die by suicide after the attack and was subsequently admitted to a hospital. A preliminary investigation by the police revealed that Chetan had been pursuing Lavanya for a long time despite her repeated rejections of his advances. Further investigation into the murder is currently underway.