Detectives probing the murder of three members of a family in Bengaluru’s Puram area say the accused originally intended to kill only the mother before disposing of her body elsewhere, but changed the plan after two more family members returned home unexpectedly.
The investigation indicates that Shwetha, 24, conspired with her living partner, Kenneth, 26, to kill her mother over a property dispute, police said.
The duo allegedly planned to move the body during the night to another location to avoid suspicion. “Our investigation indicates that the original plan was to target Muthulakshmi only. After the murder, the accused intended to shift the body to another rented apartment. However, when Shwetha’s father and younger sister returned home around 8.30 pm, the accused panicked. To prevent the crime from being unraveled, they allegedly killed both of them as well,” Whitefield Police Deputy Commissioner Sidhulu Adavat said on Thursday.
Police said Kenneth had rented a one-bedroom apartment in Gururaj Layout area in Doddanekkundi in addition to the apartment he was living in in KR Puram. Officers are examining whether a second property was secured to hide the mother’s body or disposed of after the murder. “The evidence collected so far indicates that the accused made preparations in advance. We are checking whether the second rented apartment was supposed to be used to transport the body after the crime,” Adavat said.
During searches of Dudanikundi’s apartment, investigators found a plastic drum, a cutter and a hammer. Police said these elements became part of the investigation into the planning and execution of the crime.
Investigators also believe that Shwetha and Kenneth went to the rented apartment after the murder in an attempt to destroy evidence. Police suspect that hot water mixed with chili powder was used inside the building, and blood stains may have been washed away.
According to the police, the killings are linked to a dispute over family property and debts of approx $Shwetha and Kenneth allegedly collected 30 lakhs. While Shwetha was arrested, Kenneth remained on the run.
