A case of domestic violence shocked Bengaluru on Tuesday evening after a 40-year-old man allegedly shot his estranged wife dead on a busy road in west Bengaluru. The incident occurred just days after the woman sent him a legal notice seeking divorce. The accused later surrendered at a police station with the firearm, officials said.
The shooting took place around 6.30 pm on 1st Main Road in the Rajajinagar Industrial Area, during peak evening traffic. The victim, Bhuvaneshwari (39), worked as an assistant manager at Union Bank of India. Her husband, Balamurugan, holds a software engineering degree but had remained unemployed for the past four years.
Gunshots triggered panic in the area as commuters and pedestrians ran for safety.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Police said Balamurugan fired four rounds at close range as Bhuvaneshwari returned home from work. Two bullets struck her head, while others hit her left hand, causing fatal injuries.
Bystanders found her lying in a pool of blood and alerted the police. Emergency responders rushed her to Shanbhog Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Soon after the incident, Balamurugan walked into Basaveshwaranagar police station with the pistol and surrendered. Police seized the weapon and launched a forensic examination to verify whether it was licensed.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) S Girish said investigators recovered four empty cartridges from the scene, although the accused claimed he fired five rounds.
Marriage Marked by Conflict and Separation
The couple, natives of Salem district in Tamil Nadu, married in 2011. They moved to Bengaluru in 2018 after Balamurugan secured a job at a private IT firm.
They have two children a 12-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter.
Over time, frequent disputes strained the marriage. Police said the couple had lived separately for more than a year. Bhuvaneshwari stayed with the children in a rented home in Rajajinagar, while Balamurugan lived in Whitefield.
Investigators said the accused suspected his wife of having an extramarital relationship. Police clarified that they found no evidence to support this claim. However, the suspicion reportedly fuelled repeated arguments.
Divorce Notice and Escalation
About a week before the murder, Bhuvaneshwari sent Balamurugan a legal notice seeking divorce. Police said he reacted angrily and refused to accept the separation.
Investigators believe the notice escalated tensions. Officers said Balamurugan began tracking his wife’s movements after receiving it.
On Tuesday evening, he allegedly waited near her usual route home. He confronted her close to the police station before opening fire.
“This appears to be a premeditated act,” a senior police officer said. “The accused knew the victim’s routine.”
Employment Stress and Personal Strain
Police said Balamurugan last worked in the IT sector nearly four years ago. Investigators are examining whether unemployment, financial pressure, and marital discord contributed to the crime.
Bhuvaneshwari continued her banking career despite the separation. She had recently moved from the Whitefield branch to Basaveshwaranagar, prompting her relocation with the children.
Her parents in Tamil Nadu have been informed and are travelling to Bengaluru.
Police Investigation Continues
Police registered a case of murder and began a detailed investigation. Officers are probing the source of the firearm and the circumstances under which the accused obtained it.
Investigators are recording statements from family members, neighbours, and colleagues to reconstruct the events leading up to the killing.
Authorities placed the children in the care of relatives. Officials said they will ensure counselling and long-term support.
A Stark Warning
The killing has once again highlighted the dangers women face during marital breakdowns. Police officials stressed the need for early intervention when domestic disputes show signs of turning violent.
“This is a tragic case where a legal step meant to resolve conflict ended in irreversible loss,” an officer said. “Timely support and monitoring are crucial.”
As Bengaluru grapples with another fatal case of domestic violence, the incident underscores the urgent need for stronger safeguards, mental health support, and responsive legal mechanisms during marital separations.
Police said further details would emerge as the investigation progresses.
