Bengaluru cab driver arrested for killing 7 family members, including wife and child
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A cab driver identified as Indushekhar has been arrested by the Rajajinagar police in Bengaluru for allegedly killing seven members of his wife's family, including his wife and a seven-year-old boy, following a prolonged domestic dispute. The alleged murders, which reportedly took place two days before coming to light on Friday, 6 November 2026, mark one of the most chilling cases of domestic violence in the city in recent years.
Who the Victims Are
The seven victims have been identified as Roopavathi of Srirampura (mother-in-law), her daughter Sunitha (the accused's wife), sons Shivakumar and Shankar, daughters-in-law Divya and Nalini, and Sunitha's seven-year-old nephew Puneeth. The body of young Puneeth was recovered near Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapur district after nearly four hours of searching. Search operations to trace the remaining bodies are still underway.
How the Crime Allegedly Unfolded
According to preliminary police information, Indushekhar had married Sunitha approximately 20 years ago. The couple allegedly endured frequent disputes over Sunitha's close ties to her parental family, with her mother and brothers reportedly supporting her during these conflicts — a situation that allegedly enraged the accused over time.
Police sources said the killings were allegedly planned in advance. Indushekhar allegedly killed his wife first at their residence, using a grinding stone as a weapon. He then reportedly told her family that Sunitha had gone on a trip with friends, using the deception to lure her brothers Shivakumar and Shankar to his home under the pretext of sharing alcohol. He allegedly killed them there, along with their wives Divya and Nalini, his mother-in-law Roopavathi, and young Puneeth.
How the Case Came to Light
The case surfaced when Nalini went missing under unexplained circumstances and her mother lodged a complaint with the Srirampura police. During questioning, investigators found that Indushekhar's statements were allegedly inconsistent. A subsequent search of his residence reportedly yielded incriminating evidence, and the accused allegedly confessed to the murders under sustained interrogation.
Police said the accused had made efforts to conceal the crime — allegedly cleaning bloodstains, washing the grinding stone used in the attack, and transporting the bodies to multiple locations around Nandi Hills. Authorities have also seized the vehicle allegedly used to dispose of the bodies.
Investigation and Police Response
Senior officers, including West Division Joint Commissioner Vamsi Krishna and North Division DCP Nemagowda, are personally supervising the investigation. A special team of three Assistant Commissioners of Police has been constituted under the DCP's command to locate the remaining bodies and collect evidence.
Separately, police are also examining a reported dispute between the accused and his landlord at the rented property near Bhashyam Circle, where he had been residing for the past eight years. Indushekhar was also reportedly running a local newspaper titled 'Thana Varadi'. The investigation is ongoing.