Bengaluru Horror: Elderly Woman Murdered as Her Paralysed Husband Lay Beside Her

BENGALURU, Karnataka – In a chilling incident that has shaken residents of rural Bengaluru, a 70-year-old woman was brutally murdered inside her own home in the Nelamangala area while her paralysed husband lay helpless beside her, police said.

🏠 The Crime That Shocked a Neighbourhood

The tragic incident occurred in the Kote Beedi locality of Hirapur, under the Nelamangala Town Police Station limits, in the early hours of Thursday, 18 February 2026. The victim, identified as Shobha (70), lived with her husband Ranganath (68). He has been paralysed and bedridden for over a decade following a brain stroke, and was entirely dependent on his wife for care.

According to investigators, an intruder entered the home late at night through an open door. CCTV footage later showed the suspect arriving around 1:03 am and leaving shortly after with a scooter.

Inside the house, the suspect allegedly attacked Shobha — slitting her throat and fatally stabbing her — right in front of her incapacitated husband, who was lying beside her and unable to react.

The crime went unnoticed until a physiotherapist arrived for a scheduled visit to treat Ranganath later that day and discovered Shobha’s body lying in a pool of blood. Alarmed by the scene, the therapist immediately alerted police.

🕵️ Investigation and Arrest

Police teams quickly mobilised, reviewed CCTV footage, and traced the suspect’s movements. Within hours, officers identified and arrested the prime accused, 35-year-old Shivakumar, a local wholesale grocery shop owner living near the couple’s home.

During interrogation, Shivakumar reportedly confessed to entering the house with the intent to commit robbery — allegedly to repay a debt of approximately ₹8 lakh he owed the victim.

After killing Shobha, he ransacked the house looking for cash and valuables, ultimately fleeing with her gold chain and bangles — estimated to be worth several lakhs. Police recovered the stolen items along with the knife and the motorcycle used in the crime.

⚖️ Police Response and Community Shock

Officers from the Nelamangala Town police have registered a murder and robbery case against Shivakumar. They said CCTV evidence and coordinated investigations were crucial in swiftly tracing and arresting the suspect. The accused is currently in police custody as the probe continues.

The brutal killing — carried out in the presence of a helpless and paralysed husband — has sparked fresh concerns over security for elderly couples living alone and safety in quiet residential neighbourhoods. Community members expressed shock and grief over the violence and loss, describing Shobha as a dedicated caregiver to her husband.