Ex-Navyman kills daughter

HUBBALLI

: A former Navy personnel, who took voluntary retirement eight years ago and was currently unemployed, murdered his 17-year-old daughter by slitting her throat, and injured his wife and father-in-law during a clash with his family at

Vinayak Colony

in Ashok Nagar police limits here on Monday afternoon.

After committing the crime, the killer was admitted to hospital with injuries on his right wrist.

Mohan

Henagannavar

, 44, allegedly murdered his daughter Nikhita. He also attacked his wife Sujatha, 41, and father-in-law Raghappa, 70.

Police said the accused is a resident of Dharwad and his wife is a resident of Vinayak Colony. Sujatha and Henagannavar would quarrel frequently, and they separated about six years ago. She was living with her two children in her parents’ house.

“The couple had also applied for divorce for which he was not ready. A family court is hearing the case,”Ashok Nagar police inspector

J C Hanchanal

said.

“He came to his in-law’s house around 1.30pm on Monday. His daughter opened the door. The couple quarrelled and his daughter got also involved in it and tried to attack her father with an empty bottle. In a fit of anger, Henagannavar slit her throat,” added the officer.

“Henagannavar later attacked his father-in-law and Sujatha. Both have been admitted to KIMS and are recovering. The girl succumbed to injuries in hospital,” Hanchanal added.

Police investigating the incident told TOI that Henagannavar has a cut injury on his right wrist.

Police said: “It’s not clear whether he hurt himself or was attacked. The injury looks self-inflicted and we’re waiting for him to recover. We’ll record his statement once he’s conscious. Though it is prima facie a

family dispute

, the exact reason for the quarrel will be known after the investigation.”

Ashok Nagar police have registered a case.