Man enters PG in Bengaluru's Koramangala, stabs woman to death

Bengaluru: Late on Tuesday night, an unidentified assailant entered a ladies' paying guest (PG) accommodation in a quiet neighbourhood in Koramangala, stabbed a woman tenant to death and fled. The deceased was identified as Kruti Kumari, 24, a native of Bihar and a private firm employee.

According to police officers, the murder occurred between 11.10 pm and 11.30 pm on the third floor of the Bhargavi Staying Homes For Ladies in Venkatreddy Layout, located a little over a km away from the Deputy Commissioner of Police’s (Southeast) office and the Koramangala police station.

The woman who was alone in her room sustained at least four stab wounds on her upper body and had a gash on her neck and died, investigators told DH. She had returned from work at around 10 pm, officials said.

A senior officer said that the assailant, who they suspected was known to the woman through mutual connections, entered the PG when the caretaker was briefly away for dinner but had left the entry door ajar.

Kruti Kumari.

When DH visited the crime scene, it was found that the PG had a CCTV camera on the corner of the building and two near the receptionist’s desk past the entrance. The building also boasted of a biometric entry system outside the gate, an access-controlled glass door and a secured sliding iron gate. The building with four floors is located at the dead end of the street and is flanked by multi-storied residential buildings. “The assailant walked past the the receptionist’s desk and to the third floor where he stabbed the woman to death,” the officer said. “Many of the occupants were scared and locked themselves inside their rooms. He then walked out.”

The suspect's movements were caught on the CCTV cameras. “The suspect’s identity has been established,” Sarah Fathima, DCP (Southeast) told DH. “The investigators are close to apprehending him.”

The police were alerted at around midnight and the ambulance, a short while before. The body was taken for autopsy, while forensic investigators scoured the crime scene for clues. Two officials were deputed in shifts the following day at the spot for security and separate teams were set up to trace the perpetrator.

Investigators were also analysing CCTV footage and call records. A case has been registered at the Koramangala police station. Action will likely be initiated on the PG owner for negligence and lax security measures. 

Tenant since March 

Officers close to the probe revealed that Kumari had moved to the PG in March 2024. She had a male sibling, who also worked in Bengaluru but stayed separately. She previously completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from a city-based college.

A person who identified himself as a relative of the local PG owner told DH that the suspect had entered the building previously with the victim claiming to be related to her. The police, however, said that since the investigations were on, it was early to conclude.

“The motive will be clear once the suspect is in our custody,” Sarah, the DCP, said.

The occupants of the PG were shaken after the incident and the police were treading with caution while recording their statements. The police were also finalising the formalities as the deceased’s family wished to move the body to Varanasi for final rites.