Hyderabad man gets 16-year jail term in London for stabbing ex-girlfriend

A 23-year-old man from Hyderabad, Sriram Ambarla, has been handed a 16-year jail term for stabbing his ex-girlfriend in London. The woman, Sona Biju, survived the attack, although she was severely injured.

The incident occurred on March 5, 2022, at the ‘Hyderabad Wala’ restaurant where 23-year-old Sona, who hails from Kerala, was working as a part-time waitress. Sriram entered the restaurant and stabbed her repeatedly.

During the court proceedings, prosecutor Ben Holt revealed Sriram’s internet searches, which included queries about killing humans with a knife and “what happens if a foreigner murders someone in the UK”.

The searches painted a chilling picture of the attacker’s intentions before assaulting the woman.

The couple met at college in Hyderabad and have been in a relationship since 2017. However, due to frequent fights, Sona ended the relationship with Sriram. In February 2022, they came to the UK to pursue a master’s degree at the University of East London.

Sriram confessed to the police that he was enraged after overhearing Sona express her desire to celebrate their breakup. Sriram also threatened to kill her if she refused to marry him.

However, Sona refused to marry him. Sriram then went to the restaurant where Sona worked, pulled out a knife and stabbed her nine times. He continued to stab her as the woman lay unconscious on the floor and even threatened the staff and other customers who tried to intervene.

The woman underwent six surgeries. Her injuries included a 10-inch stab in the neck, as well as injuries to her chest, forearm, abdomen and back.