Mangaluru
In a recent development in the murder-suicide case in Pakshikere, the investigation into the deaths of Karthik Bhat (32), his wife Priyanka (28), and their son Hriday (4) has uncovered new details. Karthik, who allegedly killed his family before taking his own life by jumping in front of a train, had hidden his mobile phone in the toilet commode at his residence.
The police recovered Karthik’s and Priyanka’s phones from the commode during their investigation. Questions have been raised about who placed the phones there, with the possibility that Karthik may have disposed of them after the crime. The phones have been sent for forensic analysis to search for any possible clues.
The family’s daily routine involved Karthik and Priyanka dropping their son at school in Suratkal before Priyanka went to the gym. They often had breakfast or coffee at a local hotel, sometimes bringing food home. Despite financial struggles, Karthik was known to borrow money from friends for daily needs.
In addition, a local businessman accused Karthik of misappropriating 10 sovereigns of gold ornaments. Karthik had convinced the businessman to release the gold from the bank, promising a larger loan at a cooperative society. The gold was pledged for a loan of Rs 3.04 lakh, and it was later discovered that the gold had been released just four months before the suicide.
