Karnataka woman stabbed by jilted lover after rejecting marriage proposal

Udupi: A 24-year-old woman is battling for her life after being stabbed by a youth who allegedly attacked her for rejecting his marriage proposal in Karnataka’s Udupi district, police said on Friday.

The incident took place on Thursday in Kokkarne village near Brahmavar town. The victim, identified as Rachita Poojari, sustained serious injuries after being stabbed in the chest and is undergoing treatment at Manipal KMC Hospital.

The accused, Karthik, who lived in a neighbouring house, allegedly waylaid her on the way to work. Police said he attacked her with a knife, stabbing her and attempting to slit her throat when she refused to marry him.

Investigations revealed that Rachita and Karthik had been in a relationship for several years. The accused had set a date for marriage and pressured her to agree, but her family opposed the match. After being persuaded by her parents, Rachita cut off contact with Karthik, blocking his phone number for two weeks.

Enraged, Karthik confronted her on her birthday under the pretext of greeting her and again insisted on marriage. When she turned him down, he launched the attack, police said.

The accused has been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway.

In a separate incident in February, police reported that three cars and a motorbike were torched in Bengaluru’s C.K. Achhukattu area, allegedly by a jilted lover and his associates. The gang also assaulted the woman’s brother before setting the vehicles on fire in what was suspected to be an act of vengeance.