In a grisly incident that has thrown the community into chaos, a 42-year-old home guard in Bengaluru allegedly killed his wife, daughter, and niece under the pretext of infidelity. Gangaraju subsequently surrendered to the authorities and left behind a grieving family and a devastated community.
On January 8, 2025, near Jalahalli Cross, Bengaluru, it was reported that Gangaraju employed by the Hebbagodi police station attacked his wife Bhagyamma (38), daughter Navya (19), and niece Hemavathi (22) with a sickle. All the three women died instantly because of the ruthless assault. After the incident, Gangaraju went to the nearby police station of Hebbagodi, weapon in hand, and tendered a confession about the murders.
Background and Motive
Preliminary investigations reveal that for the past few months, Gangaraju had doused suspicion at his wife Bhagyamma, which had become a matter of frequent domestic quarrels. It was a direct consequence of this situation that ended on the fateful day. The family are natives of Neelamangala and had been staying in a rented house alongside Jalahalli Cross for six years. The victimization of Hemavathi has made the case even more intricate, as investigators further the probe into family conditions and commotion.
Community and Legal Response
The hide-and-seek nature of these crimes has attracted furious reactions from communities and law agencies alike. The additional commissioner Vikas Kumar said, “The accused, Gangaraju, was a home guard with Hebbagodi police station. He had been suspecting his wife Bhagyamma for over two months, which ultimately ended in frequent quarrels. It was on January 8 that the three women lost their lives when the accused attacked them with a sickle.”
North Division Deputy Commissioner of Police Saidulu Adavath provides more details, confirming that Gangaraju had cut the victims’ necks with the sickle. The failure to raise an alarm during the attack indicates a sudden and fast attack. Following his confession, Gangaraju was arrested and officially charged. The investigation is underway to uncover the real depths and motive behind the crime.
Broader Implications:
This incident is a dire reminder of the need for the availability of mental health assistance for boosting family conflict resolution resources. The phenomenon of perceptually negligible marital discord escalating into such violence is indicative of what takes place when marital discord and mental grievance are left unchecked.
It also brings to the fore factors that law enforcement personnel face when dealing with personal stressors while ensuring public safety. A situation such as this puts into perspective issues such as the avail- ability of counseling and support to members of the police force and asserts the need for reforms to avert similar calamities in the future.
As the investigation continues, the community grieves the senseless loss of three lives. This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the devastating effects uncontrolled personal grievances can unleash and the necessity for mental health awareness and support for individuals at home and work.
