Bengaluru police have arrested a 52-year-old cab driver and his 17-year-old daughter in connection with the alleged killing of seven members of his wife’s family at a house near Bhashyam Circle in Rajajinagar, with investigators searching for six bodies reportedly disposed of in different hill and ghat locations.
The accused, identified as S. Indushekar alias Arjun, was taken into custody after a missing-person complaint led investigators to examine the movements of several relatives who had reportedly been visiting his home. Police said the killings allegedly took place between October 16 and November 3, with the victims attacked on separate days.
According to the police account reported by Vijay Karnataka, the victims included Indushekar’s wife Sunita, 40; his mother-in-law Roopavathi, 65; his brothers-in-law Shivakumar, 30, and Shankar; Shivakumar’s wife Divya, 30; their seven-year-old son Puneeth; and Nalini. Police allege that the accused used a household grinding stone in the attacks and later transported the bodies in his car after wrapping them in bedsheets and plastic bags.
Police have so far recovered Puneeth’s body near the foothills of Nandi Hills, while the bodies of the other six alleged victims have not been found. Investigators are searching locations including Nandi Hills, Chamundi Hills, Shiradi Ghat and Yercaud Ghat near Salem in Tamil Nadu, the report said. The accused has been remanded to 12 days of police custody.
The case came to light after Nalini’s mother, identified as Thungamma, became concerned when Nalini and Shankar’s mobile phones remained switched off between October 31 and November 1. She reportedly visited their locked home on November 2 and filed a complaint at Srirampura police station on November 3 after learning that other relatives had also been missing.
Police then examined the missing persons’ links to Indushekar’s Rajajinagar residence and traced his mobile movements. Officers detained him near Halasuru Gate while he was travelling in a car. An 11-year-old boy who was with him was rescued, according to the report. Police said Indushekar initially denied knowing anything about the missing relatives before allegedly disclosing his involvement during questioning.
Investigators have alleged that the killings were connected to repeated disputes between Indushekar and his wife, and that he targeted members of her family. Police are also examining the alleged involvement of his teenage daughter, who was arrested in the case. These claims remain part of the ongoing investigation and will have to be tested through evidence and court proceedings.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh visited the reported crime scene. The commissioner said special teams had been formed to locate the bodies and that the investigation would be completed quickly before a charge sheet is filed. Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the incident appeared to be pre-planned and that more definite information was expected after the investigation progressed.
