Bengaluru Hospital Technician Dies After Car Catches Fire on Tumakuru Highway; Woman Colleague Seriously Injured in Alleged Stabbing and Explosion
Bengaluru, June 27: A 30-year-old man died and a 23-year-old woman sustained serious injuries after a moving car caught fire following an alleged petrol bomb explosion and stabbing incident on the Bengaluru–Pune National Highway near Jogihalli in Shira taluk of Karnataka’s Tumakuru district on Saturday.
According to police, the deceased has been identified as Nagendra, a resident of Bengaluru, while the injured woman is Ramya Ullas. Both were working as Operation Theatre (OT) technicians at a hospital in Bengaluru.
Police said the two were travelling from Bengaluru to Ankola in a hired car along with a driver when the incident occurred.
During the journey, an argument allegedly broke out between Nagendra and Ramya over personal issues. Investigators said Nagendra allegedly attacked Ramya with a knife inside the moving vehicle.
In an attempt to save herself, Ramya reportedly jumped out of the moving car, sustaining serious injuries. The driver, shocked by the incident, immediately stopped the vehicle and got out.
Police said Nagendra then allegedly locked himself inside the car. Moments later, an explosion occurred inside the vehicle, suspected to have been caused by a petrol bomb, triggering a massive fire that completely engulfed the car.
Nagendra was trapped inside the burning vehicle and died at the scene.
Ramya was rushed to the district hospital, where she is undergoing treatment.
Senior police officers, including the Superintendent of Police, visited the scene. A case has been registered at Kallambella Police Station.
Police said further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events, determine the motive behind the incident, and ascertain whether the alleged attack and explosion were premeditated.
The allegations regarding the stabbing and suspected petrol bomb are based on the preliminary findings of the police investigation. The exact circumstances will be established after completion of the investigation.