The Soladevanahalli police have arrested a man who allegedly set his partner and her parents on fire. All three were in critical condition and were being treated in intensive care units (ICUs).
The accused has been identified as Panduranga alias Chandu, a resident of Nandini Layout.
According to the police, the incident took place in Tarabanahalli on March 6 around 6.30 pm when the accused went to the house of 27-year-old domestic help Sumalatha and demanded her to hand over the scooter.
When she refused, a heated argument broke out between them. Sumalathi’s parents, Shreeram and Manjamma, intervened during the argument. In a fit of rage, Panduranga allegedly doused them with petrol from a bottle he had brought and set them on fire before fleeing the scene in an autorickshaw. Neighbors rushed to their aid and admitted them to the hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment, police said.
According to the FIR, Sumalatha married Hanumayya in 2015 and had two sons. About five years later, she met Pandurang, who reportedly promised to take care of her. She later moved in with him in a rented house in Nandini Layout while her two sons stayed with Sumalatha’s mother. “Though we were not married, we lived as husband and wife. Later, a baby girl was born to us,” Sumalatha said in her complaint.
The FIR further stated that about a year ago, Panduranga had brought another woman to his house, which led to frequent arguments. After that, Sumalatha left the house and started living with her parents.
Based on her complaint, the Soladevanahalli police registered a case under Sections 109 (attempt to murder) and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and arrested the accused. Further investigation is underway.
Published – March 8, 2026 7:53 PM IST
