Police in southern Bengaluru have detained Amaresh H S, 49, an auto-rickshaw driver, after he allegedly stabbed his wife, Kannada TV actress Manjula C—known professionally as Shruthi—following a domestic dispute. Shruthi had just resumed living with him and her two daughters after a period of separation.

Despite 20 years of marriage, the couple had been estranged for several months amid recurring conflicts. Five years into their marriage, Amaresh began harassing Shruthi over finances and family issues. In April, she moved in with her brother after lodging a harassment complaint. However, Amaresh convinced her brother he had changed and Shruthi returned home three days before the attack, police say.

On July 4, Shruthi’s daughters were in school. Amaresh reportedly left in the morning but returned later. When Shruthi answered the door, he sprayed pepper into her face, stabbed her in the chest, thighs, and neck, grabbed her hair, and shoved her into a wall. Neighbours rushed in when they heard her screams and separated them. Shruthi was treated at Victoria Hospital and has since been discharged.

Police Register FIR

Police registered the case under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (attempt to murder). Amaresh is currently in custody, with bail proceedings scheduled for July 16.

Confirming the incident, an investigating officer stated, “On July 4th after the children went to college, Amaresh fought with the victim and repeatedly stabbed her after using pepper spray on her face. … Neighbours … rescued her and took her to a nearby hospital in an autorickshaw. … the police … rushed … and arrested her husband.”

Before the attack, the couple had been squabbling over their leased home in Hanumanthanagar, and Shruthi had formally complained about these disputes. Attempts by family elders to resolve the conflict had failed, and Amaresh also allegedly made repeated threats to her.

Shruthi, who is recognised for her work in the TV serial Amruthadhare and as an anchor, was not alone during the incident—her daughters were away at school at the time. She remains in good health as the legal case progresses.