Bengaluru College Student’s Murder Probe Reveals Accused Planned Attack After Marriage Refusal

Last Updated:October 18, 2025, 09:31 IST

The 20-year-old victim, Yamini Priya, a B.Pharm student, was fatally stabbed multiple times in the throat and face by a man who was pressuring her for marriage

Prime accused Vignesh (left) and Harish (right), who allegedly assisted in the logistics, are in police custody. (News18)

The probe into the horrific daylight murder of a college student in Bengaluru’s Srirampura has culminated with the arrest of two individuals, with police calling the crime a pre-planned attack following the victim’s refusal to a marriage proposal.

The 20-year-old victim, Yamini Priya, a B.Pharm student, was fatally stabbed multiple times in the throat and face in the Srirampura police station limits on Wednesday.

Speaking to the media, DCP (North Division) BS Nemegowda confirmed the arrests and detailed the initial findings of the investigation.

“Srirampura police were successful in tracking down the accused. The 20-year-old young woman was a B.Pharm student," said Nemegowda. He identified the main accused as Vignesh @ Sanjay, who was allegedly forcing her for marriage.

The police statement indicated the motive was rejection. “When she refused, he murdered her by stabbing her with a knife on her neck and face."

Vignesh and a second accused, Harish, who allegedly assisted in the logistics, were apprehended in Soladevanahalli. “We have taken Vignesh and Harish, who dropped and picked him up, into custody," the DCP said, clarifying that “Vignesh alone committed the act". However, he added, “Harish cooperated in the murder. Both accused are being interrogated."

The police are also probing the past relationship and activities of the victim and the accused. “We are investigating the creation of a WhatsApp group. Whether they were in love or not needs to be ascertained," the DCP added. Police also revealed that Vignesh had been previously warned after the victim had filed a complaint against him, where police had taken an undertaking. Officials also noted that Vignesh was unemployed, while Harish worked in a fabric shop, and the knife used in the crime was purchased from a store. Vignesh also had a previous case against him in 2022 for allegedly posing as a BBMP Marshal to extort money.

Three special teams were formed for the manhunt, which led to the arrest of the accused after an intensive search overnight. Vignesh is currently being interrogated by the Srirampura police.

‘He Should Be Hanged’

The victim’s family, still reeling from the tragedy, expressed their pain and anger, directly accusing the system for failing their daughter after her prior complaint.

Yamini Priya’s mother, Varalakshmi, expressed her fury, demanding the harshest penalty. “He should be killed in an encounter," she said. “We had filed a complaint before. He should not be let off."

Varalakshmi, explaining why they did not press charges further earlier, said: “When we complained first, they let him go. We remained silent thinking his parents were good people. But we didn’t know he would do this." She confirmed that the accused’s family had approached them for marriage last April, but her daughter had refused.

“His family came and asked to marry her, but my daughter did not like him," she said. “If she had liked him, I would have given her in marriage. What can be done if she doesn’t like him?"

The grieving mother lamented her daughter’s silence, believing the college student feared for her education. “My daughter never told us anything [about the stalking]. She did not tell us, fearing we might stop her from studying," Varalakshmi said, urging everyone not to trust anyone “even the boy next door". She concluded her emotional plea with a demand for capital punishment: “He must be hanged."

Harish Upadhya

Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi...Read More

Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi...

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