Couple found murdered at home in Bengaluru suburb, son goes missing

BENGALURU: An elderly couple was found bludgeoned to death in their residence at Kodigehalli, off Ballari Road, on Tuesday morning and their missing younger son is suspected to have killed them.

The victims are Bhaskar, 61, and his wife Shanta, 60. Bhaskar was a cashier at small hotel, while Shanta had retired from Industrial Training Institute. Police have launched a manhunt for their younger son, B Sharath, in his late 20s, who is suspected to have assaulted the couple and fled.

According to the couple's elder son B Sajith, Sharath had psychiatric issues and often attacked his parents without any reason. The murder came to light on Tuesday morning when Sajith visited the house after the couple did not answer his phone calls.

"We booked a case against Sharath. Neighbours told us that late Monday night, they heard commotion in the house but did not intervene. Bhaskar and Shanta had reportedly told the neighbours not to visit them during such fights as Sharath would only get more provoked and even attack them without reason," police said.

"The family has been residing here for more than 25 years. Sharath never worked and often fought with family and others. We all knew Sharath faced health issues and we did not interact with him," police quoted neighbours as saying.

On Monday morning, neighbours suspected something was amiss as there was silence in Bhaskar and Shanta's house. They called Sajith, who resides in Tindlu, Vidyaranyapura. Sajith, a private firm employee, reached the house around 11.30 am and found the main door locked from outside. He broke open the door and found his parents lying dead. The bodies bore deep injuries on the head, indicating the assailant had hit them using objects like an iron rod," a police officer said.