Auto driver kills wife before dying by suicide after domestic dispute

By Sumesh Rajan | September 10, 2026

Bengaluru, Karnataka, INDIA: A 38-year-old autorickshaw driver allegedly killed his wife before dying by suicide at their home in Bengaluru’s Vibhutipura area following a domestic dispute, police said.

The deceased have been identified as Raghavendra, 38, and his wife Shruthi Raghavendra, 30. Raghavendra worked as an autorickshaw driver, while Shruthi was employed as a domestic worker.

The incident is believed to have taken place late on Tuesday, September 8, at the couple’s ground-floor residence within the jurisdiction of HAL Police Station.

Police were alerted at around 6 to 6.30 am on Wednesday after the couple were found dead inside the house.

When officers reached the scene, they found Shruthi with multiple injuries allegedly caused during an assault involving a beer bottle. Raghavendra was found dead inside the house and is suspected to have died by suicide.

Police are investigating the exact sequence of events leading to the deaths.

Frequent disputes between couple

Preliminary inquiries indicate that Raghavendra and Shruthi had frequent arguments over several domestic issues.

According to police, Raghavendra was addicted to alcohol and allegedly spent a substantial portion of his earnings on drinking. Shruthi had reportedly objected to his drinking habits.

Raghavendra, meanwhile, allegedly complained that Shruthi spent excessive time using her mobile phone. Some accounts also indicate that he accused her of being engrossed in watching short-form videos or reels and complained about household matters, including cooking.

“Preliminary inquiries indicate that the couple had frequent arguments. Raghavendra was addicted to alcohol and spent most of his earnings on it. We are questioning family members and relatives to ascertain what led to the incident,” Deputy Commissioner of Police, Whitefield, Saidulu Advath said.

Police are examining whether one of these recurring disagreements triggered Tuesday night’s violence. However, investigators have not established mobile phone use as the definitive motive behind the killing.

Tuesday night quarrel allegedly turned violent

According to preliminary information, Raghavendra returned home on Tuesday night and an argument subsequently broke out between the couple.

During the altercation, he allegedly attacked Shruthi with a beer bottle. Police suspect the bottle was used to inflict fatal injuries on her.

Shruthi died at the house.

Raghavendra is then suspected to have died by suicide inside the residence.

Investigators are examining whether Raghavendra was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. The findings of the post-mortem examinations and other evidence are expected to help police establish the sequence of events.

Couple had earlier approached police

The couple reportedly had a history of domestic disputes.

Following a recent argument that escalated, they had approached a police station, where they were counselled before returning home, according to preliminary reports.

Police are now questioning relatives and others familiar with the couple to understand the nature of their disputes and what may have happened in the hours before their deaths.

Two children were away in Davangere

Raghavendra and Shruthi had been married for around 17 years and had two children.

The couple were originally from Davangere and had reportedly known each other since their student days. They later married with the consent of their families and eventually settled in Bengaluru.

At the time of the incident, their two children were staying with their maternal grandparents in Davangere and were not present at the Vibhutipura house.

Raghavendra’s parents reportedly lived on the first floor of the same building, while Raghavendra and Shruthi occupied the ground floor.

With no known eyewitness inside the couple’s home, investigators are expected to rely on forensic and post-mortem findings, statements from family members and neighbours, and other available evidence to reconstruct what happened.

HAL Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the immediate trigger for the violence.

(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call AASRA – 9820466726 (24x7) or Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)