A 22-year-old woman from Sikkim was allegedly murdered by her live-in partner at their rented apartment in Bengaluru’s Doddakannalli area following a dispute over suspected infidelity, police said on Sunday.
The victim, identified as Ati Hangma Subba, worked as a receptionist at a salon in the city. The accused, Purba Lepcha (26), a native of Darjeeling employed as a hotel waiter, was arrested shortly after the incident.
According to police, the couple had been living together in Doddakannalli and had been experiencing frequent disagreements in recent weeks. Investigators said Lepcha allegedly suspected that Subba was communicating with another man, which became a recurring source of conflict between them.Police said the argument escalated on Sunday morning, during which the accused allegedly attacked Subba with a kitchen knife. She suffered severe injuries to her neck and collapsed inside the apartment.
“The accused allegedly assaulted the victim during an argument related to his suspicions about her relationship with another person,” a senior police officer said. Due to excessive blood loss, the woman died before medical assistance could arrive.
Following the incident, Lepcha allegedly attempted to flee the area. However, acting on information received, police launched a search operation and apprehended him within a short period. A case has been registered at Bellandur Police Station, and the accused is currently in police custody. Authorities have initiated a detailed investigation to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the crime.
The victim’s body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, while forensic teams have collected evidence from the apartment. Police are also examining witness statements and other material evidence as part of the ongoing probe. Officials said further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
