A disturbing child death case has emerged in Bengaluru, where a mother and her alleged live-in partner have been accused of murdering a five-year-old girl. The case, registered almost three months after the child’s death, has shocked residents and raised serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The child, who was identified as Vennila, died in mysterious circumstances on 24th March at a villa in Seegehalli, which falls under the jurisdiction of Kadugodi Police Station in Bengaluru. At first, the death of the child was not treated as a criminal matter. But now that her father has come forward and medical reports are being examined, police have filed a murder case against the child's mother, Priyanka, and her alleged partner, Mohan.
Praveen, the couple's father, said the couple’s marital relationship had deteriorated over the years. Praveen, a Davanagere resident, married Priyanka in 2007, and they had two daughters. Some years ago, Priyanka was also connected with her former college friend Mohan, investigators say. And their friendship developed into a close relationship, and they later lived together.
The complaint says Praveen and Priyanka had disputes over the alleged relationship. When questioned, Priyanka said she wanted a divorce. Later, she moved to Kadugodi and lived with Mohan, and brought the younger daughter, Vennila, with them.
The circumstances around the child’s death were shrouded in suspicion as Priyanka gave different explanations, the father said. Priyanka claimed she had fed the kid biryani, while on another occasion, she said she had given the girl ice cream and let her sleep in the car with the air conditioner on. At that point, she told the family members that the child died the next day after they returned home.
Unsatisfied with the explanations, Praveen went for a second opinion by sharing the post-mortem report with a relative who is a doctor working abroad. The doctor, the complaint says, told Praveen that there could have been some irregularities in the circumstances that led to the child's death. This led Praveen to ask the police for help, saying his daughter had been attacked and suffocated, as was said to have happened.
The complaint and preliminary findings led police to file a murder case against Priyanka and Mohan. But investigators are investigating whether the child was intentionally hurt and whether evidence was concealed after the death. The complaint also suggests that the child’s complexion and family situation may have been factors in the crime, but police have not officially confirmed any motive.
Police have already arrested Mohan and are questioning him as part of the ongoing investigation. Priyanka has disappeared, and a search is in motion to find her. Authorities are waiting for the forensic science laboratory’s (FSL) final report to give them evidence that will help them determine what caused the death.
The allegations are currently under investigation, and the final decisions will depend on the forensic evidence, witness accounts, and other evidence gathered during the investigation, the investigators said.
As the investigation continues, police are expected to investigate the events leading up to Vennila’s death and whether the evidence on hand supports the allegations made by the complainant. Forensic analysis would then be the key to establishing the facts of the case and to guiding further legal action.
