Bengaluru: An attempt to escape an abusive relationship ended in a desperate fight for survival inside a moving cab, culminating in a bomb blast that killed the man who had allegedly vowed that they should “die together”.In a detailed statement to police, 23-year-old operation theatre technician Ramya described how her former boyfriend, Nagendra T, 28, allegedly abducted her at knifepoint, repeatedly threatened to end both their lives, attacked her with a knife during the journey, and finally set off an explosive device after bystanders rescued her.Her statement was recorded by Kallambella police at the Tumakuru District Govt Hospital on the same day as the dramatic sequence of events unfolded near Jogihalli village in Sira taluk.Ramya, a native of Agasuru village in Ankola, Uttara Kannada district, told investigators that she had known Nagendra for nearly six years. A senior from a neighbouring village during their college days, he had initially been her boyfriend. But over the past four years, she alleged, the relationship turned violent, with Nagendra frequently assaulting and threatening her.Unable to endure the abuse, she left her native place, first moving to her grandparents’ home in Kundapura before relocating to Bengaluru about 18 months ago, where she found work as an OT technician. Even after changing places and blocking his phone number, she alleged, Nagendra continued to pursue her.According to her statement, he appeared at her rented house about 10 days before the incident and threatened to kill himself if she refused to marry him. Afraid that he might act on the threat, she told him she would marry him and persuaded him to leave.But he returned Saturday morning.Ramya alleged that Nagendra refused to leave her house, accused her of betraying him and threatened to kill her. He allegedly pulled out a knife and even attempted to attack her roommate, leaving Ramya with little choice but to accompany him to prevent further violence.Nagendra then booked a cab and forced her into it. As the vehicle headed out of Bengaluru, he repeatedly told her that they should return to their native place and die together, she told police. If they died elsewhere, he allegedly said, their families might never find their bodies.The journey soon turned bloodier. During an argument inside the moving cab, Nagendra allegedly attacked Ramya on her left shoulder with the knife. When he attempted to slit her throat, she fought back, suffering another injury in the back of her head.The attack was witnessed by the cab driver –Praveen– who stopped the vehicle and, with the help of passersby, pulled Ramya to safety.It was then, according to investigators, that Nagendra removed an explosive device from his bag and tried to set it off using a lighter. Ramya screamed that he had a bomb, alerting those around the vehicle.Praveen attempted to pull Nagendra out and save the cab. He managed to snatch away one explosive device, but seconds later another exploded inside the vehicle. The powerful blast set the cab on flames, killing Nagendra on the spot.Ramya was rushed to a hospital and was discharged Sunday evening. Investigators said both families had been aware of the duo’s relationship and repeated disputes.A senior police officer said the investigation has also revealed that Ramya had recently become friends with another person, something Nagendra might have learnt about. Police found that Nagendra had moved to Bengaluru only a week before the incident and had been working as a delivery executive for a major e-commerce company while staying in a paying guest accommodation.Police said Nagendra’s relocation to Bengaluru might have been solely to take Ramya back, and that work was only a pretext.
