Date:08/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/08/stories/2005070817790300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Housewife hacked to death near Hebbal

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: A 45-year-old housewife, Kasturamma, was hacked to death by unidentified assailants at her house in Kempapura in the Hebbal police station limits on Thursday afternoon. The police could not immediately rule out a case of murder for gain as the victim's mangalsutra and earrings were missing, while other valuables in the house were intact.

The victim was reportedly found lying dead in the kitchen with grievous injuries on the head. The body was first noticed by her daughter, Seema, when she returned from her college.

A closer examination of the body revealed that Kasturamma was hit with two sharp and blunt weapons, apparently a kitchen tool used for vegetable cutting and carving. The incident apparently took place around 1.30 p.m., when the victim was alone in the house.

The police found a plate with chapati and curry, left uneaten. Kasturamma's husband, Sannaveeraiah, told the police that she usually had her lunch between 1 p.m. and 1.15 p.m. The attack must have come during that time, the police suspect.

Mr. Sannaveeraiah is a manager in Sandoor Manganese and Iron Ore Limited. While he had gone for work, the couple's three children were also away.