Bengaluru woman allegedly kills son, 4, after he witnessed father’s murder
Bengaluru: A 38-year-old man and his four-year-old son were found dead at their home in Bengaluru on Monday morning in a case police are investigating as a planned murder.
Police have taken the man's wife, A Harini, 26, and Vinay Kumar, 32, into custody for five days for further investigation.
Police Allege Murder Was Planned
According to police, Harini initially told investigators that she had been sleeping in another room and did not know what had happened.
Investigators reportedly became suspicious after discovering that the home's CCTV system had been switched off and finding inconsistencies in her account.
Deputy Commissioner of Police D L Nagesh said Harini and Vinay had allegedly been in a relationship for more than two years after meeting through a social media application.
Police allege that Harini allowed Vinay into the house around 1 am on Monday. Investigators said Vinay switched off his mobile phone before entering the house.
According to the police account, the two allegedly attacked Abhinandan, 38, an employee of a private firm, by throwing him against a wall and subsequently choking him to death.
Four-Year-Old Son Allegedly Killed After Witnessing Attack
Police said Abhinandan's four-year-old son woke up after hearing the commotion and allegedly saw his father being attacked.
Investigators suspect that the child was then killed because he could have been a witness to the incident.
An investigating officer said the child was allegedly smothered. However, police said Harini and Vinay have each blamed the other for the child's death.
Alleged Attempt to Destroy Evidence
Investigators also alleged that Harini attempted to conceal evidence following the attack.
Police said Abhinandan had suffered a bleeding injury and alleged that Harini wiped away the blood, changed his clothes and disposed of the clothing.
The CCTV system being switched off is also among the circumstances being examined by investigators.
Possible Motive
Police said the suspected motive appeared to involve domestic discord and Harini's alleged relationship with Vinay.
According to investigators, Harini had previously left for her mother's home with her son following differences with Abhinandan. Relatives also told police that the couple frequently quarrelled.
Investigators are additionally examining a possible property-related motive.
Police said Abhinandan had a share in approximately three acres of agricultural land in Kunigal and owned gold ornaments. Investigators are examining whether these assets could have been inherited by Harini or their son.
Conflicting Claims From Families
Abhinandan's relatives told police that he had married Harini in 2021 and alleged that she was involved in a relationship with another man.
They also said the couple had lived separately for a period before reportedly resuming living together several months ago.
Harini's family, however, made a counter-allegation that Abhinandan himself had been involved with another woman and had allegedly been caught once.
Investigation Underway
Police have taken Harini and Vinay Kumar into custody for further questioning as they investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The allegations regarding the murder, the motive, the role of each accused and the circumstances of the child's death remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings. The accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.