A Slow, Agonizing Death: Bengaluru Woman Succumbs Nine Months After Mercury Poisoning by Husband

It's a story that truly chills you to the bone, a stark reminder of the horrors that can unfold within seemingly ordinary lives. A woman in Bengaluru, identified as Shobha, has tragically passed away after an agonizing nine-month battle against the effects of mercury poisoning. The shocking twist? Her own husband, Shivashankar, is accused of injecting the deadly substance into her.

Picture this: October of last year. Shobha began experiencing severe stomach pain and relentless vomiting. Her husband, Shivashankar, quickly spun a tale to the Mico Layout police and her family, claiming she had simply fallen from the stairs. He even reportedly took her to various hospitals, seemingly playing the concerned spouse. But deep down, a far more sinister truth was unfolding.

The poison began its cruel work immediately, silently ravaging Shobha's body from the inside out. For months, she endured excruciating pain, a medical mystery baffling doctors until the truth began to surface. Her condition deteriorated drastically, with vital organs like her kidneys, liver, and intestines suffering irreparable damage. She spent an extensive period, from December of last year right up until her death, receiving critical care at Manipal Hospital. Tragically, despite all efforts, she succumbed to her injuries on Sunday, July 23.

But as the weeks dragged into months, and Shobha's condition worsened without clear cause, suspicions mounted. It was during an investigation by the Mico Layout police that Shivashankar's elaborate lie began to unravel. Faced with mounting evidence and probing questions, he eventually confessed to the unthinkable. His motive? A motive that's as chilling as the act itself: he suspected Shobha's fidelity.

He didn't just stumble upon it, mind you; Shivashankar deliberately purchased mercury from a chemical shop located in the bustling Majestic area of Bengaluru. He then, with terrifying premeditation, injected the toxic element into his wife. Her family, utterly heartbroken, also spoke of another layer of torment, alleging that Shivashankar had consistently harassed Shobha for dowry throughout their marriage.

It's hard to reconcile the image of a married couple, together for 15 years and raising two children, with such an horrific act. Shivashankar was arrested shortly after his confession and is currently cooling his heels in judicial custody, awaiting justice for his heinous crime. The case, initially registered under Section 307 (attempt to murder), has now been tragically upgraded to Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code following Shobha's passing.

This isn't just a news report; it's a profound tragedy, a story of betrayal and unimaginable suffering that leaves two young children motherless and a community grappling with the depths of human cruelty. The investigation continues, but for Shobha's family, the pain of her loss will undoubtedly linger for a lifetime.