Karnataka Police is investigating the alleged role of a 17-year-old girl in the murder of seven members of her father's wife's family in Bengaluru, as state Home Minister Priyank Kharge said on Friday, 6 November that the accused, cab driver Indushekhar, had allegedly brainwashed his daughter into assisting him in the crime. The murders, which reportedly began on 16 October, came to light only recently — nearly 20 days after they allegedly commenced.

What Happened

Indushekhar, a cab driver, was arrested by the Rajajinagar police in Bengaluru in connection with the alleged killings of his wife Suneeta, her brothers Shivakumar and Shankar, Shivakumar's wife Divya, their seven-year-old son Puneeth, Shankar's wife Nalini, and his mother-in-law Roopavathi. The body of young Puneeth was recovered near Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapur district. Search operations remain ongoing at multiple locations to trace the remaining six bodies.

According to police, the accused allegedly disposed of the bodies at different sites, including Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapur, Charmadi Ghat in the Mangaluru region, and parts of Tamil Nadu. Investigators tracked the accused after mobile phone location data for the missing persons reportedly converged at a common point, raising suspicion and prompting them to take Indushekhar into custody.

Home Minister Kharge's Statement

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Home Minister Priyank Kharge described the incident as an alleged pre-planned conspiracy. 'He has brainwashed his daughter for the abetment of the crime. He targeted his wife's relatives and killed them. He subsequently disposed of the bodies in different districts. Whether the murders were committed over property or some other issue is yet to be established,' Kharge said.

Kharge cautioned against premature conclusions about the accused's motive or mental state. 'The accused claims that he was harassed by his wife's family and was in a depression. Let us not jump to conclusions. The facts are yet to be established,' he added, noting that investigators expected a clearer picture within two to three days.

The Daughter's Alleged Role

Police are separately examining the alleged involvement of Indushekhar's 17-year-old daughter, who is currently missing and studying at a Pre-University College. According to preliminary findings, she allegedly helped her father contact victims, luring them to the family's residence. Investigators are probing whether she continued extending invitations to relatives even as murders were allegedly being carried out over a 20-day period.

Investigators have gathered information that the girl was reportedly seen near her residence in the four days preceding the case coming to light. A police search is underway to locate her. Authorities are working to determine whether she acted with prior knowledge or was manipulated by her father, as alleged by the Home Minister.

The Accused's Alleged Method

Police allege that after killing each victim, Indushekhar retained their mobile phones and sent messages from those devices to other family members, creating the false impression that the victims had gone on a trip. It was only after concerned relatives filed missing persons complaints and police analysed the phone location data — which showed multiple devices at a common location — that authorities moved in.

Investigators are probing both a domestic dispute angle and a possible property motive, though neither has been conclusively established. The scale and alleged methodical nature of the killings — spanning multiple districts and nearly three weeks — make this one of the most serious alleged mass murders in Karnataka in recent memory.

Key Developments and What's Next

Search operations are continuing at Charmadi Ghat and locations in Tamil Nadu to recover the remaining bodies. Investigators are expected to present a fuller picture of the alleged conspiracy, including the daughter's precise role, within the next few days. The case has triggered sharp public attention, given its alleged premeditated nature, the involvement of a minor, and the scale of the alleged killings within a single family.