(Photos available)Bengaluru: Having lost nearly Rs 8 lakh in online betting, a 38-year-old autorickshaw driver repeatedly stabbed his wife, a home guard with Mahadevapura police station, to death as their two young children watched in shock and horror on Sunday evening.On the pretext of reconciling with his wife Manjula with whom he had a running feud, Pradeep Kumar met her at her parents’ residence, fell at her feet seeking forgiveness and violently pulled her legs. As she suddenly sank, he pulled out a knife and stabbed her 15 times.Police Monday arrested Pradeep for murder and causing hurt by dangerous weapons.Hours before committing the murder, Pradeep had reportedly made selfie videos stating his betting habit had destroyed his family and claiming both he and his wife would soon die.Police said Manjula and her children had been living at her parental home since June 11 following frequent marital discord. Family members alleged Pradeep suspected her fidelity and questioned the paternity of their children.Pradeep arrived at his in-laws’ residence around 7pm. In the name of making a fresh start, Pradeep allegedly hit Manjula with a knife on her abdomen, chest, shoulder, hands and head. Manjula was rushed to the KR Pura Government Hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead.After the assault, Pradeep fled to a lorry parking area and informed police he had killed his wife and attempted suicide by slashing his hand. Police took him into custody from the lorry stand.In the videos, Pradeep said he could not live without his wife. “If she refuses to come back even after my apology, I will kill her and end my life. My wife is a good person, but she is being influenced by her family members, especially her mother and sister. Money has become the most important thing in life,” he allegedly said.Manjula and Pradeep married in March 2012. They have two children: A 14-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son. Manjula’s aunt said the family had returned home after attending a funeral when they found Pradeep unleashing a fatal knife attack on Manjula.Manjula’s mother Selvi told police the couple’s daughter sustained injuries on her fingers while trying to intervene during the attack.Police said Pradeep had visited the Mahadevapura police station on Sunday looking for Manjula. A senior officer said Manjula had previously lodged complaints against Pradeep. The couple had undergone counselling and were reunited on earlier occasions.Unable to bear harassment, Manjula had decided to seek a divorce and approached a lawyer and filed a petition on Saturday.
