Bangalore:
Refusing a man's sexual advances cost a woman more than just her life. Not only did the accused kill Pavithra (30), but he also murdered her 10-year-old niece Aishwarya. Pavithra's five-year-old nephew Charla, however, survived the assault on the family.
Pavithra, who had come to Bangalore a month ago, was staying on the terrace of an old building in Kaveri Nagar, KHB Main Road.
She was taking care of the children on her aunt's behalf. According to the police, Raju came to Bangalore a little before Pavithra and was living on the same terrace. "He started liking Pavithra and made sexual advances, but she consistently refused," said a police officer.
Things took a turn for the worse on Monday night at around 10.30 pm, when Pavithra again turned down Raju's advances. "In a fit of rage, Raju stabbed her. Her screams woke up the two kids who were sleeping nearby, so Raju attacked them as well. The elder of the two, Aishwarya, died on the spot. Charla sustained injuries in the process and has been admitted to a hospital," said DCP North H S Revanna.
The screams alarmed Pavithra's brother Anthony, who lives close by, and residents rushed to the site and saw Raju trying to escape. Raju was caught and handed over to the police.
Nizam (31) who is a regular customer of a bar next door was also injured when he tried to nab Raju. Nizam was stabbed in the stomach. He has been shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment and is out of danger, confirmed the police.
Senior Police officials who had come to the spot for investigations said that Raju was under the influence of alcohol. A case has been registered at Hebbal police station and the investigations are on.