West Bengal nurse attacked by husband in Bengaluru had complained to police earlier; remains in ICU

Bengaluru, Sep 18 (IANS) Madhumita, a young nurse who was attacked by her husband Venkateshan near the hospital where she worked in Bengaluru, continues to receive treatment in the ICU of a private hospital in the city and her condition still remains critical, police said on Friday. It has emerged that she had complained to the police earlier about his behaviour and the cops had contacted Venkateshan and directed him to appear for questioning.

According to the police, Venkateshan allegedly chased Madhumita near the hospital on Thursday, threw an acid-like liquid at her and subsequently attacked her with deadly weapons more than 10 times in full public view.

Police said Madhumita and Venkateshan had met through a dating app and got married in 2024 before settling in Bengaluru. However, Madhumita had reportedly been maintaining a distance from her husband for the past six months.

According to the investigation, Venkateshan secured a job with an oil company in Chennai and moved there. He had repeatedly insisted that Madhumita accompany him, but she refused to move to Chennai.

Madhumita had allegedly told Venkateshan not to touch her and said that she had started disliking him. She also reportedly avoided his calls, leading to frequent arguments between the couple.

About six months ago, Venkateshan allegedly came near the clinic where Madhumita worked and created a ruckus following an argument with her. The clinic staff intervened, reprimanded him and sent him away.

Following the incident, Madhumita lodged a complaint with a police station in Bengaluru. Police subsequently contacted Venkateshan and directed him to appear for questioning.

However, Venkateshan allegedly failed to appear before the police and instead continued to threaten Madhumita over the phone, according to the police.

On Thursday, he allegedly came near the hospital carrying an acid-like liquid and deadly weapons and waited for Madhumita. When she arrived, he allegedly chased and attacked her.

The incident took place in public view and left Madhumita seriously injured. She was shifted to a private hospital, where she continues to undergo treatment in the ICU.

Venkateshan has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Police are continuing their investigation into the attack and the circumstances leading up to it.

DCP South, Dr. Vamshi Krishna, who visited the spot, had said the accused Venkateshan, allegedly attacked Madhumita with a machete and a long knife after throwing a liquid suspected to be acid, on her.

The incident took place around 9.15 a.m. near Narayana Hospital, where Madhumita works as a nurse. According to the DCP, the accused wore a helmet during the assault and used two deadly weapons in the attack.

“The accused has used a liquid similar to acid and assaulted the woman with a machete and a long knife. The couple are husband and wife, and the incident is suspected to have taken place against the backdrop of a family dispute,” Dr. Vamshi Krishna said.

Police said Venkateshan has been arrested and is being questioned.

–IANS

mka/rad