Bengaluru, India — A shocking incident unfolded Wednesday at the Harihareshwara Temple in northeastern Bengaluru when a woman allegedly attacked her daughter with a machete, prompting police to suspect a potential human sacrifice. The attack occurred shortly after morning prayers, leaving the 25-year-old victim in critical condition.
Witnesses reported hearing the victim’s screams, which attracted the attention of bystanders who intervened, restraining the mother before authorities arrived. Officers have obtained CCTV footage from the temple to further investigate the brutal incident and determine the sequence of events.
According to police, the mother, 55, and her daughter had visited the temple early in the morning to pray. After their prayers, the violent assault erupted. The daughter sustained severe injuries to her neck and was rushed to a local private hospital for emergency care. Currently, her condition remains critical as doctors work to stabilize her.
Investigators uncovered that the daughter was experiencing marital issues, often returning to her maternal home to escape conflicts with her husband, a weaver from Anekal. Recently, both women had been participating in specific rituals, believing they might help resolve the daughter’s troubles. Police speculate that the mother may have been influenced by an astrologer, who allegedly recommended the act as a means of appeasing spiritual forces.
Authorities are now in the process of locating the astrologer for questioning, seeking to understand the motivations behind this shocking assault. They are also awaiting the victim’s recovery to obtain her account of the incident, which will be essential for piecing together the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The incident has raised alarms in the community about the potential for such violent acts motivated by superstition or spiritual beliefs. As the investigation continues, residents are expressing disbelief that such a crime could unfold in a sacred space, highlighting a troubling intersection of tradition and extreme actions.