Mobile phone prank turns fatal: housekeeping staff stabbed to death by friend

What started as a prank over a hidden mobile phone ended in tragedy when a cleaner allegedly stabbed his friend to death during an argument in Marathahalli. Police arrested the accused, identified as Ramu Basappa Pattad (35), a resident of Siddarood Nagar in Kuruvinakoppa village of Kalaghatagi taluk in Dharwad district.

According to the complaint filed by the victim’s brother Gangappa Mangalagatti, the deceased Parashuram Mangalagatti was staying in a rented house near BESCOM office on Chowdeshwari Road in Marathahalli along with his friends Hanumanth Doddamani and the accused. All of them were working as cleaning staff at KIMS Hospital in Mahadevapura.

Police said that around 8.30 am on May 9, Ramu Basappa Pattad kept Parashuram’s mobile phone as a joke and refused to return it despite repeated requests. The fun discussion quickly escalated into a fight. It was alleged that during the argument, the accused entered the kitchen, took the knife, stabbed Parashuram Mangalagatti in the stomach and then ran away from home.

Doctors said that the injured person was treated in a private hospital, but died at around 12.30 on May 11 due to severe internal injuries and blood loss.

Investigators said the defendant initially believed he only caused a minor injury and allegedly told police during questioning that he did not realize the victim was dead. He reportedly returned to his rented room two days later, expecting his friend to come back to look for the phone, but found the house locked.

Marathahalli Police Station police tracked down and arrested the accused on May 14. The investigation continues.