Man stabs estranged wife to death at a birthday party

A birthday party in Abdullapurmet turned into a murder scene on Wednesday evening when a man stabbed his estranged wife to death in front of horrified guests, including children. The accused, identified as Srinu, fled the scene after the attack, said the police.

The victim, 35-year-old Satupati Sammakka, had come to attend her cousin’s daughter’s 14th birthday at a residence in SC Colony. At around 7 p.m., as the family was preparing to cut the cake, Srinu entered the house uninvited, said Abdullapurmet Inspector V. Ashok Reddy.

According to a complaint filed by the host, Satupati Rajeswari, Srinu quietly walked into the upper-floor room, sat in a corner and watched as the celebration began. As Sammakka stood nearby recording the moment on her phone, Srinu suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed her three times in the neck.

The woman collapsed and bled to death on the spot. ‘’You had an affair with another man,‘’ Srinu was heard shouting before attempting to flee, as per the eyewitnesses. Panic gripped the room as adults screamed and children cried. Some guests tried to intervene, but Srinu brandished the knife at them, threatening to kill anyone who came close.

Despite the efforts of the landlord, Gunde Balraj, and neighbours Gunde Pavan and Gunde Shiva to catch him, Srinu escaped on a bike .

The complainant, Rajeswari, told police that Sammakka had left Srinu after frequent quarrels and domestic disputes, and had been staying separately in a rented house in the same locality for the past 15 days. Originally from Suryapet, she had moved to Abdullapurmet seeking some peace and distance.

Police have registered a case and said that efforts are underway to nab Srinu.