A traffic police sub-inspector intervened after a 26-year-old nurse was allegedly attacked with acid and a machete by her husband near a private clinic in Bengaluru’s JP Nagar 3rd Phase on Thursday morning, police said. The nurse, identified as Madhumita Maity, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital and remains in critical condition.
According to the preliminary investigation, Maity had stepped out for breakfast at around 9.15am when her husband, identified as 39-year-old Venkatesan, followed her to the basement parking area of the building where she worked. Police said Venkatesan had travelled more than 425 km from Madurai on a scooter and was carrying a machete, a knife and a bottle of acid used for floor cleaning.
The accused allegedly confronted Maity on the basement ramp, threw acid at her and pushed her to the ground. She suffered severe injuries to her head. Hospital staff, local residents and passersby attempted to intervene, but police said Venkatesan also tried to attack people who came towards him.
Traffic sub-inspector Venkatesh K and head constable Madhu, who were on duty nearby, reached the spot after hearing people shouting. Police said Venkatesan brandished the machete at the officers while trying to escape. Venkatesh then entered the basement, picked up a bamboo log and struck the accused, causing him to drop the weapon.
A crowd gathered at the scene and some people assaulted Venkatesan, according to the police account. The sub-inspector intervened, restrained the crowd and took the accused to the JP Nagar law and order police station in an autorickshaw. Venkatesan also suffered injuries and is being treated at another hospital.
Maity had been working as a nurse at Narayana Clinic for about 18 months and was living in a paying guest accommodation in south Bengaluru. Police said she is originally from Kolkata. Deputy commissioner of police (South) Kona Vamsi Krishna said Maity and Venkatesan married in Madurai in 2023 but had been living separately for about a year because of a marital dispute.
The JP Nagar police have registered an attempt-to-murder case. Investigators are questioning Venkatesan to establish the precise motive and have recorded that he confessed to purchasing the machete, knife and acid in Tamil Nadu. The police have also inspected the clinic premises as the investigation continues.
