Man killed after prayer at memorial service

Bengaluru: A 35-year-old man was fatally stabbed Thursday morning in Anjanappa Garden in Cottonpet, following a dispute over a minor issue. The victim, identified as Sharath, was a resident of Markandeya Layout in Kempapura Agrahara and worked at a paint factory. The suspect, also named Sharath, is an auto rickshaw driver.According to preliminary police investigation, the incident occurred after the two men attended a funeral prayer for Prabhakaran, a resident of Anjanappa Garden, who had passed away Wednesday evening. Family members, relatives, and friends had gathered at his house for bhajans throughout the night.As the victim Sharath was leaving around 6am, a heated argument erupted between him and the accused over a woman. The accused, who had been drinking along with the victim during the bhajans, claimed that the victim had insulted a woman close to him. In a fit of rage, the accused stabbed the victim near the abdomen before fleeing the scene.The injured Sharath was rushed to Victoria Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, while undergoing treatment around 10.30 am. The Cottonpet police have registered a case of murder and launched a manhunt for the accused. A senior officer said that the exact motive behind the murder would only be confirmed after the suspect is apprehended.