K'taka woman hacked with a machete, allegedly by stalker

Late on Monday night, a 23-year-old woman from Hassan was brutally hacked with a machete inside her home allegedly because she rejected a stalker and married a Muslim man.

Namrata (name changed) was asleep in her home in Sakleshpur, when a miscreant allegedly broke into her house and began hacking her with a machete. She suffered grievous injuries on her head, neck, chest, arms and fingers due to the brutal attack.

Sakleshpur Town Police, who are investigating the case, suspect that Namrata was being stalked by a man named Raju, a few years ago, before she got married Rizwan*. "He had also professed his love for her on multiple occasions. She had refused his advances and told him to stay away. Raju began stalking her even after she was in a relationship with Rizwan. He had also expressed his anger towards her marrying a man from the Muslim community," the Sakleshpur Town Police said.

Rizwan, who got back home after work late at night saw Namrata drenched in blood. He rushed her to the Hassan District Hospital, where Namrata is currently undergoing treatment for her injuries. "The victim is in a critical condition and is lodged in the ICU. We were able to note down her statement today (Tuesday). In her statement, she has expressed her suspicion on Raju and also members of a right wing outfit operating in Hassan. She has told us that a year ago, members of the Hindutva outfit had threatened her life as she was married to a Muslim man. She also said that Raju, who was stalking her, had also lashed out at her for marrying a man from the Muslim community instead of him, who is a Hindu," the Sakleshpur Police said.

According to an official at the Hassan District Hospital, Namrata's condition is critical and she is fighting for her life. "The patient had lost a lot of blood. She is currently in the ICU and is under observation," the official added.

The Sakleshpur Police have registered an FIR under sections 307 (attempted murder) of the IPC. "We have not yet apprehended anyone in the case. Once we detain Raju and establish motive, we will add stalking to the FIR," the police added.