A lovelorn bus conductor murdered an advocate, as she had started ignoring him. He was frustrated as he had spent Rs 8 lakh on her studies and other expenses, according to police.
Jyothi, a native of Kanakapura, was staying in a paying guest accommodation in Rajajinagar. She was practising with a senior lawyer in Mahalakshmi Layout. Madhu and Jyothi, who are from the same town, were friends for over 10 years. Madhu had met Jyothi through his sister. Their friendship turned into love, which their parents opposed.
During interrogation, it was found that Jyothi had married her relative but they broke up over personal issues. She decided to continue her studies and told Madhu that she wanted to study law. Madhu made arrangements and helped her move to the city, said the police.
"Both of them enrolled for a law course in a private college and he also helped her financially, including paying for her PG accommodation. But Madhu dropped out of college and got a job with BMTC. He continued helping Jyothi as he wanted to marry her as soon as she completed her studies," said an investigating officer.
"But Jyothi, after finishing her law course, started her practice. She was also seen moving around with another person, which angered Madhu. Jyothi and Madhu fought over this. Madhu also found a few photographs of her with another person on her mobile phone. He also learnt that she was using another phone number clandestinely. He got furious and had a heated argument with her. She gradually started ignoring Madhu," added the officer.
Madhu tried to compromise with Jyothi several times but failed, said the officer. He decided to abduct her and take her to Madikeri and marry her. He contacted his friend Shivaramu, a cab driver, and told him about the plan. He even bought a paper cutter in Majestic area to threaten her. On December 17, he approached Jyothi but she did not entertain him. Madhu got furious and slit her throat and stabbed her with the paper cutter and fled. The public nabbed Shivaramu while he was trying to flee, added the police.
A senior police officer said, "Madhu went to Madikeri and was staying in a lodge. The staff at the lodge, who knew Madhu as he used to frequent the place with Jyothi, found his behaviour strange. They had seen the local news channel which flashed Jyothi's photograph. They alerted the local police, who informed the city police, leading to his arrest."
Madhu tried to end life
"It is suspected that Madhu had checked into the lodge to commit suicide but before he could take the drastic step, he was arrested. Madhu claimed that he did not intend to kill her but she created a ruckus on the road and tried to attract attention, and so he killed her. He was angry that he had spent so much money on her believing she would marry him," added the officer.