Bengaluru: The Kannada TV industry was shocked and dismayed to hear news of Manjula C, also known as Shruthi, being attacked in her Bengaluru rented house by husband Amaresh H.S. on July 4, resulting in injuries on her chest, thighs and neck that are being treated at Victoria Hospital by Amaresh H.S., 49 years old, who is charged with attempted murder by police but has no idea of the industry reaction and fan reactions following this shocking event.
The grisly attack on the popular actress is alleged to have happened in the rented house at Hanumanthanagar, after her two children left for college at around 11:30 am. The couple, who have been living separately for months, were trying to patch up their marriage following an assurance by Amaresh to Manjula that he has reformed, the police said. However, Amaresh allegedly sprayed pepper on Manjula to blindfold her and stabbed her thrice with a kitchen knife on her chest and legs, they added. He then pulled her hair, following which he hit her head on the wall, they said. Hearing her cry for help, neighbours reached the house and took her to a nearby hospital in an automobile, possibly saving her life, police said.
The couple got married 20 years ago. It is alleged that the duo had disagreements on money matters and other personal issues and often fought over them. After Manjula’s brother filed a complaint against Amaresh with the police in April, the actress had moved out of their house and was living with her brother for the last few months. However, three days before the incident, Amaresh met her brother Ravi and spoke to him, assuring him that he had changed and telling him that he would take care of his wife and their two children. On the basis of Amaresh’s words, Manjula returned to their house on July 4 to live with her husband. However, the incident abruptly ended the so-called happy reunion, according to the police. The actor was arrested at the crime scene itself by the Bengaluru police and was booked under Section 109 (attempted murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The next hearing for Amaresh, who applied for bail on July 8, will take place on July 16.
Manjula’s fans and those of the popular serial Amruthadhare were moved by the attack and took to social media to express their anger and also seek justice for her. “The pain I feel for her condition is beyond words.” “This situation is tantamount to attempted murder,” a fan expressed on Twitter. The state of my heart remains unchanged. May God give her strength to fight all these issues with full force,” another said. Another tweet read, “Reading what has happened to the lovely and innocent actress Shruthi Manjula makes my heart bleed.” “The attempt on actress Shruthi’s life was due to ongoing disputes over money.” She has even accused her husband of beating her physically on many occasions,” said another. However, after the actress was discharged from the hospital and recovering well, she said Amaresh has a history of attacking her. “She added that they used to argue about everything, and Manjula was often beaten by Amaresh for his anger towards issues related to money and personal matters.