Bengaluru, 19 July — A dual motive of financial grievance and a fractured relationship has emerged in the murder of Amrutha, a 22-year-old law student and diagnostic centre employee, who was fatally stabbed in the city's Kodihalli area on 13 July and died two days later. Investigators now say the attack was driven not only by a rejected romantic pursuit but also by an unresolved chit fund dispute involving approximately ₹5 lakh.

How the Attack Unfolded

The stabbing occurred between 4 pm and 4:30 pm on 13 July near Amrutha's residence off HAL Road, under the jurisdiction of the Jeevan Bheemanagar police station. The accused, Surya — younger brother of Dhanush, Amrutha's former partner — allegedly confronted her during a visit to her home alongside Dhanush. When Amrutha reportedly refused to repay the disputed amount, the argument turned violent. Surya is accused of stabbing her in the chest and back with a knife.

After the attack, Surya allegedly attempted to flee but was overpowered by local residents and handed over to police. Amrutha was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she underwent treatment for two days before succumbing to her injuries on the evening of 15 July.

The Chit Fund Dispute

According to police sources, Amrutha's mother ran a chit fund in which members of Dhanush's family had invested. Surya had reportedly contributed a substantial sum to the scheme. Even after the chit matured, approximately ₹5 lakh allegedly remained unpaid. Investigators say Surya had repeatedly demanded repayment from Amrutha and her mother, and his frustration over the unresolved debt had been building for some time.

The Relationship and Rejection

Amrutha and Dhanush had reportedly been in a relationship for nearly four years, having met through families who lived in the same locality and became acquainted at religious gatherings. According to police, Amrutha ended the relationship after learning that Dhanush had allegedly concealed a prior marriage, a divorce, and the existence of a child. Authorities said they are currently verifying claims about Dhanush's marital history as part of the ongoing investigation.

Despite the breakup, Dhanush allegedly continued to pursue Amrutha and had reportedly threatened her for rejecting his advances, investigators said. The resentment over the relationship's end, compounded by the unresolved financial dispute, is believed to have set the stage for the fatal confrontation.

Arrests and Investigation

The Jeevan Bheemanagar police have registered a murder case against both Surya and Dhanush, and both accused have been arrested. Further investigation is underway. Notably, the case had initially appeared to centre solely on a rejected marriage proposal — the financial motive emerged only after deeper scrutiny by investigators.

The case has drawn attention to the intersection of personal relationships and financial disputes in urban crime, and police are expected to file a chargesheet once verification of all claims is complete.