Bengaluru: A software engineer who allegedly shot dead his wife in a crowded area of Bengaluru told police that receiving a divorce notice from her pushed him to commit the crime.

The accused, identified as Balamurugan (40), surrendered at the Magadi Road police station after allegedly killing his wife, Bhuvaneshwari (39), an assistant manager with Union Bank of India, on Tuesday evening.

During preliminary questioning, Balamurugan told investigators that the divorce notice sent by his wife had “triggered” him to murder her. Police said he also cited marital discord and claimed he suspected her of having an extramarital affair.

The shooting took place between 6.30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Magadi Road as Bhuvaneshwari was returning home from work. The accused allegedly waited for her and fired five rounds at close range, two of which pierced her head while two struck her hand.

She was rushed to Shanbagh Hospital with severe bullet injuries, where doctors declared her dead.

Police said Balamurugan, formerly employed with Capgemini in Whitefield, walked into the police station soon after the incident and confessed to the crime.

The victim worked at the Union Bank of India’s Basaveshwaranagar branch and lived in Rajajinagar with her two children. The couple, married in 2011, had been living separately for over a year due to ongoing disputes.

Investigators said Bhuvaneshwari had been seeking legal separation, which the accused allegedly could not accept. Nearly six months ago, she shifted residence with her children, and Balamurugan was initially unaware of their location.

Police said he traced her address about four months ago and moved to Cholurpalya under KP Agrahara limits. Around a week ago, he reportedly received a legal divorce notice from her.

Authorities are now probing how the accused procured the pistol and whether it was licensed or illegally obtained. Statements from the victim’s family members are being recorded.

A case has been registered under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Magadi Road police station. Further investigation is underway.