Anantapur (Dharmavaram): A woman software professional hired a "killer gang" for Rs 12 lakh to kill her husband in Anantapur district. She also promised to pay Rs 8 lakh to the middleman who hatched the plan.

On September 14, a few unidentified assailants attacked one Venkatram Prasad while he was going to the court in connection with his divorce at a court in Dharmavaram town here in the district.

Victim, Venkatram Prasad, who is an LIC Development Officer, was married to software engineer Kalyani in 2011. As she was working in Oracle firm in Bengaluru, she used to visit Dharmavaram only during weekends. After a few years, the couple started developing differences. They had been frequently quarrelling over petty issues. She even filed a complaint in Bengaluru following harassment from her husband.

Kalyani finally decided to separate from her husband as her married life was getting strained. She had filed a divorce petition in the court alleging that she was being mentally and physically harassed by her husband Prasad.

As the case is still in the court, Kalyani decided to eliminate her husband. Along with her mother, she hired one "killer gang" for Rs 12 lakh and planned the murder attack. The assailants attacked Prasad with daggers and knives following which knife was stuck in his neck.

Grievously injured Prasad was rushed to a hospital in Anantapur. From there he was shifted to private hospital in Bengaluru where doctors removed the knife that was stuck in his neck. Prasad is said to be out of danger.

The police traced the bike of the assailants and arrested four members in the gang. During the interrogation, the accused spilled the beans before the police saying that they were hired by Kalyani. Later, both Kalyani and her mother confessed to have carried out the attack. A case has been registered against them.