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Bengaluru Mother, Friend Booked in Child's Murder
7 Jun
Summary
- Investigation into six-year-old's death escalated to murder.
- Child's mother and her friend are now suspects.
- Police are probing poisoning or suffocation as causes.
A murder investigation has been initiated by Kadugodi police into the death of six-year-old Vennela, two months after she was discovered under suspicious circumstances. The child's mother, P Priyanka, and her friend, Mohan G Mahalingappa, a real estate developer, are now facing murder charges. Mohan has been placed in police custody for seven days, while Priyanka is currently unreachable.
The case began as an unnatural death inquiry after Vennela was found unresponsive on March 25, 2026, following her mother's birthday celebration the previous night. Initially suspected to be food poisoning, the investigation took a turn after autopsy results were inconclusive and inconsistencies emerged in Priyanka's account.
Investigators grew suspicious of foul play, particularly after Mohan sought anticipatory bail. The father alleged the couple murdered their daughter to build a new life together. Mohan's anticipatory bail was later canceled following new evidence, leading the police to reclassify the case as a homicide.
Police are now focusing on whether Vennela was suffocated in a vehicle or poisoned before being left there. The investigation into her death continues as they try to apprehend Priyanka.
