A 20-year-old B Pharma student, Yamini Priya, from Swatantra Palya in Bengaluru, was murdered in broad daylight near railway tracks behind Mantri Mall, Malleswaram, on Thursday, October 16. Reportedly, her throat was slit by her former boyfriend, Vignesh, after she rejected his repeated romantic advances.
The accused allegedly threw chilli powder or a corrosive substance into her face before the attack and fled on a motorbike. Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Siddu Nema Gowda confirmed that a murder case has been filed under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A manhunt is underway, with teams analysing CCTV footage and tracking the suspect’s last known movements.
A Shocking Daylight Murder in Malleswaram
The horrific killing occurred between 2 and 2:30 p.m. when Yamini, a first-year pharmacy student at a college in Hosakerehalli, was walking home after writing an exam. According to witnesses, a man on a motorbike approached her near the railway track behind Mantri Square Mall, attacked her from behind, and slit her throat.
Locals rushed to her aid and alerted police, but Yamini succumbed to her injuries before help arrived. The assailant, identified as 23-year-old Vignesh, allegedly fled the scene immediately after the attack.
DCP Siddu Nema Gowda told reporters, “Preliminary evidence suggests this was an act of revenge following a rejected love proposal. The accused and the victim lived in the same neighbourhood.” Officers collected multiple pieces of evidence, including CCTV footage from nearby streets, and dispatched special teams to trace his whereabouts.
A Disturbing Pattern of Harassment
Investigations have revealed that Yamini and Vignesh knew each other for several years and that Vignesh had been stalking her for months. She had reportedly lodged a complaint at Srirampura police station, after which police warned Vignesh to stay away. However, he continued to harass her, trailing her near her college and home. Police sources disclosed that Vignesh has a criminal history, he had previously been detained by the City Market police during the pandemic for impersonating a police officer and extorting money from citizens.
Officers suspect that the murder was premeditated and committed out of frustration and obsession after Yamini ended contact with him. The post-mortem confirmed multiple deep cuts on her neck and face, confirming the use of a sharp-edged weapon in the assault.
The gruesome incident has sparked outrage across Bengaluru, with many calling for stricter enforcement of anti-stalking laws and improved safety for women in public spaces. Civic groups and college associations have planned candlelight vigils in honour of Yamini, demanding that police treat stalking cases with greater urgency.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Yamini Priya’s murder is a devastating reminder of how stalking and unaddressed harassment can escalate into fatal violence. Her courage in previously seeking police help should have guaranteed her safety; instead, systemic shortcomings have allowed another young life to be lost.
The Logical Indian stands united in condemning this act of brutality and advocates for strengthened mechanisms to protect women against harassers. It is essential that authorities prioritise early intervention, community awareness, and swift action against repeat offenders.
