Bantwal, Jul 16: A 21-year-old woman was hacked to death in broad daylight at the KSRTC bus stand in Bantwal on Thursday, July 16, in a gruesome incident that has triggered widespread concern over public safety in the region.

The victim has been identified as Lavanya (21), a resident of Kakyapadavu. She was employed at a private nursing home in Kalladka.

According to the preliminary investigation, the accused has been identified as Chethan (22), who is reportedly a distant relative of the victim. Police suspect that he had been stalking Lavanya after she rejected his advances.

Preliminary information suggests that Lavanya had boarded a KSRTC bus to return to Kakyapadavu. While travelling, she reportedly called one of her relatives and informed them that a young man was seated beside her. The call was disconnected shortly thereafter.

According to eyewitnesses, after Lavanya got down at the Bantwal KSRTC bus stand, Chethan followed her, pulled out a machete concealed in his bag, and attacked her repeatedly. Despite her attempts to escape, the accused chased her down and inflicted multiple fatal injuries. She succumbed to her injuries at the scene before the assailant fled.

A bystander recorded portions of the attack on a mobile phone. The video has since circulated widely on social media and is expected to form part of the police investigation.

The incident comes just days after another violent attack in Manchi village of Bantwal taluk, where a minor girl waiting at a bus stop was allegedly stabbed by a youth and sustained serious injuries. The back-to-back incidents have raised fresh concerns over the safety of women in public spaces.

Senior officers from the Bantwal subdivision, including the town police inspector and other personnel, rushed to the spot soon after the incident. Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Arun K also visited the crime scene to assess the situation.

Police have registered a case and formed special teams to trace and arrest the absconding accused. Further investigation is underway.