In a shocking incident that has raised serious concerns about public safety and the availability of illegal weapons, a young woman had a narrow escape in Bengaluru on Saturday morning. A 25-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly tried to shoot her with an illegal pistol, but the weapon misfired twice, saving her life.
Dating App Romance Turns Deadly
The accused has been identified as Shubham Kumar, a 25-year-old native of Bihar who worked as a bike taxi rider and lived in Nelamangala. The victim, Aparna, is a nursing student from Sikkim who resided in Ejipura. According to police investigations, the two had been in a relationship for over a year after they first connected on Instagram.
Investigators revealed that the relationship had recently turned sour. Shubham had begun suspecting Aparna of being in touch with another man, which led to frequent arguments and caused him significant emotional distress. This suspicion allegedly fueled his drastic plan.
The Failed Attack and Dramatic Arrest
The incident unfolded around 9 am on Saturday near a college campus in Mallapura, close to Nelamangala on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Police said Shubham had illegally procured a pistol loaded with four rounds. He asked Aparna to meet him in Nelamangala under the pretext of having a discussion to resolve their issues.
When Aparna arrived at the spot in a taxi, Shubham allegedly attempted to fire at her. In a miraculous turn of events, the pistol misfired twice. Seizing the opportunity, the quick-thinking student immediately dialled the emergency number 112 to alert the police.
With assistance from local residents who responded to the commotion, police personnel reached the spot swiftly and apprehended Shubham. The illegal weapon was seized from his possession. The entire episode triggered panic in the area, which is frequented by college students.
Police Probe and Broader Concerns
During questioning, investigators uncovered a more sinister plot. Shubham had allegedly planned to kill Aparna and then take his own life. The attempt failed solely due to the firearm malfunction.
A case has been registered at the Nelamangala Rural police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. Beyond this individual case, the incident has renewed alarms over the easy availability of illegal firearms in the city's peripheries.
Police are now probing a critical angle: how these illegal weapons are entering the city and whether an organised network is operating on the outskirts. This investigation aims to dismantle any supply chains that threaten urban safety.
Link to Another Gruesome Murder Case
In a related development, investigations into another recent murder in Bengaluru have revealed disturbing details about the hiring of hitmen. In the case of Bhuvaneshwari, who was allegedly shot dead by her husband Balamuragan on Magadi Road last month, police found that the accused had initially hired a contract killer.
Balamuragan had contacted Moulesh Kumar, a 25-year-old habitual offender from Salem, Tamil Nadu, by searching for "rowdies" on a social media platform. Kumar, who has a history of murder and burglary cases and was previously lodged in Salem prison, was paid an advance of Rs 1.5 lakh.
Although Kumar did not ultimately execute the killing, he visited Bengaluru, conducted a reconnaissance, and advised Balamuragan on how to carry out the act in areas without CCTV coverage. Police stated that Kumar later delayed the act and sought more money, leading Balamuragan to carry out the murder himself. Kumar has since been arrested and brought to Bengaluru on a body warrant for questioning.
These back-to-back cases highlight a dangerous trend of individuals resorting to extreme violence and exploring the dark underbelly of contract killings and illegal weapons, posing a significant challenge for law enforcement in the region.
