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When police located Leelavathi, she appeared with Santhu and declared that she no longer wished to live with her husband or kids. The revelation stunned relatives and neighbors.
Distraught, Manjunath took to social media to express his anguish. He made emotional reels and even addressed the media, pleading for his wife to return. (Image: Representative Image)
A domestic dispute that began as a painful separation has erupted into violence in Basavanapura village on the outskirts of Bengaluru, Karnataka. Manjunath, whose wife Leelavathi left him and their three children for another man, allegedly attacked her lover Santhu, leaving him seriously injured.
From Family Life to Public Breakup
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Manjunath and Leelavathi had been married for 11 years. Their love marriage was once considered a happy union, blessed with two sons and a daughter. Neighbors say the family appeared close-knit until Leelavathi began a relationship with Santhu, a man from the same area.
A few weeks ago, Manjunath filed a missing-person report at the Bannerghatta police station after his wife left home. When police located Leelavathi, she appeared with Santhu and declared that she no longer wished to live with her husband or children. The revelation stunned relatives and neighbors alike.
Heartbreak on Social Media
Distraught, Manjunath took to social media to express his anguish. He made emotional reels and even addressed the media, pleading for his wife to return.
His public appeals turned the family drama into a topic of widespread discussion in the community and online, where many sympathized with the abandoned husband and father of three.
According to police, the tension exploded late one evening when Manjunath allegedly barged into Santhu’s residence in Basavanapura, under Hulimavu police limits. Witnesses reported a heated argument that quickly escalated. In the middle of the confrontation, Manjunath is said to have grabbed a beer bottle, broke it, and stabbed Santhu.
Santhu sustained serious injuries to his hand and was rushed to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital for treatment. Doctors have confirmed that he is out of immediate danger but will require further care. Police said Manjunath also struck Santhu with the bottle before the stabbing, adding to the severity of the attack.
Police Investigation Underway
Hulimavu police have registered a case of assault and are continuing their investigation. Officers are gathering eyewitness accounts and forensic evidence to determine the exact sequence of events and the motive behind the attack.
They are also reviewing Manjunath’s previous statements to the media and his social media posts to assess whether the incident was premeditated or a spontaneous act of rage. The violent turn has left the couple’s three children caught in a storm of grief and uncertainty.
Community members describe them as bewildered by the rapid breakdown of their family life. Local leaders have urged counseling and mediation to prevent further harm and to provide support to the children.
What began as a love marriage celebrated 11 years ago has descended into a tragic tale of betrayal, public spectacle, and violence. The case serves as a stark reminder of how unresolved marital conflicts and public airing of private pain can spiral into destructive consequences, leaving a trail of emotional and physical scars.
About the Author
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
September 25, 2025, 11:39 IST
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