The Kadugodi police arrested a 45-year-old farmer who along with two others allegedly attacked his wife and her male friend with a machete over an alleged illicit affair in Bellathur in Kadugodi on Thursday.

While Kishore, 38, was hacked to death on the spot, Arundhati sustained severe injuries and was shifted to a private hospital where she is battling for her life in ICU.

Passers-by who noticed the brutal attack alerted the police, who arrested the accused identified as Yallappa, 45, a farmer from Srinivasapura in Kolar, his daughter Pooja, 21, and brother-in-law Venkatacharappa, an autorickshaw driver, on the charges of murder and attempt to murder .

Kishore and Arundhati were distant relatives who used to meet at Yallappa’s old house frequently. Kishore was married and worked as a bus driver for a private school.

On Thursday, Arundhati came to meet Kishore and the accused accompanied by two others followed Arundhati armed with machete to catch them red-handed, the police said.