Bengaluru: Mother, Lover Held for Alleged Murder of 6-Year-Old
Bengaluru police have registered a murder case against a mother and her alleged live-in partner for the death of her six-year-old daughter. The child, Vennela, was found dead on March 25, with her father alleging the mother and her partner killed her as she was an obstacle to their plans. The partner has been arrested, while the mother is absconding.
Key Highlights
- Mother and live-in partner booked for alleged murder of a 6-year-old girl.
- Child died under suspicious circumstances three months prior to the FIR.
- Father's complaint led to murder charges; mother is absconding.
- Post-mortem report and contradictory statements raised suspicion.
- Motive alleged to be the child being an obstacle to the couple's relationship.
Bengaluru police have initiated a murder investigation into the suspicious death of a six-year-old girl, Vennela, who was found deceased on March 25. The case took a significant turn nearly three months later when the child's father, Praveen Basappa, filed a complaint leading to murder charges against his estranged wife, Priyanka P., and her alleged live-in partner, Mohan J. Mahaningappa.
Praveen and Priyanka, married in 2007, have two daughters. According to Praveen's complaint, their marriage began to deteriorate in late 2025 when Priyanka reconnected with her college friend Mohan. She subsequently moved in with Mohan in Bengaluru. While the elder daughter stayed with Praveen, Vennela lived with her mother and Mohan.
Priyanka initially provided inconsistent explanations regarding Vennela's death. She reportedly told family members that the child had eaten biryani the previous night and later claimed that Vennela had been given ice cream and left sleeping in an air-conditioned car while she and Mohan attended a birthday celebration. These contradictory accounts raised suspicions.
The case gained momentum after Praveen obtained the post-mortem report on April 4. He shared the findings with his elder sister, Dr. Poornima, a practicing child specialist in England, who immediately flagged severe discrepancies and suspected foul play, suggesting the death might not have been natural. Based on this expert opinion and his suspicions, Praveen approached the Kadugodi police, alleging that Priyanka and Mohan had murdered Vennela because she had become an obstacle to their plans to start a new life together, possibly exploring options like IVF for a child.
Preliminary investigations suggest the child may have been assaulted and suffocated. The police have officially reclassified the case as a homicide investigation, focusing on whether the child was intentionally suffocated or poisoned. Mohan has been arrested and taken into seven-day police custody for interrogation, while Priyanka is currently absconding and efforts are underway to trace her. Investigators are awaiting the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report and other expert opinions to ascertain the exact sequence of events and cause of death. Some reports also suggest preliminary investigations indicated the mother was unhappy with the child's complexion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the accused in the Bengaluru child death case?
The accused are the child's mother, Priyanka P., and her alleged live-in partner, Mohan J. Mahaningappa.
When did the child, Vennela, die?
Vennela was found dead on March 25.
Why was a murder case registered against the mother and her partner?
The father of the child filed a complaint alleging that the mother and her partner murdered Vennela because she was an obstacle to their new life together. Suspicion was raised by contradictory statements from the mother and findings in the post-mortem report.
What is the current status of the accused?
Mohan has been arrested and taken into police custody, while the mother, Priyanka, is currently absconding.