BENGALURU: Three police personnel attached to Kadugodi station were suspended on Friday for negligence in handling the suspicious death of six-year-old Venella, despite a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report pointing to foul play as early as April.
Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the officers failed to act on the FSL findings or convert the unnatural death case into one of murder. The case was upgraded to murder only last week after the victim’s father raised doubts over the circumstances of her death.
The suspended officials are Kadugodi inspector Ranga Swamy, sub-inspector Ningaraju and a station writer. Kharge said the autopsy report was available on April 4, and the officers should have treated the death as suspicious and registered a First Information Report to begin a proper investigation. Instead, they treated it as an unnatural death, leading to their suspension.
Kharge confirmed that the girl’s mother, Priyanka, and her paramour Mohan have been arrested in connection with the case. He assured further action based on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
Police said Priyanka, married to Praveen for 19 years, had two daughters before separating. While the elder daughter stayed with Praveen, Venella lived with Priyanka. Priyanka was in a relationship with her college friend Mohan, who had separated from his wife and purchased a villa for her.
Investigators allege Mohan disliked Venella and, during an argument, punched her in the abdomen and later choked her to death. Growing suspicious, Praveen obtained a copy of the FSL report and shared it with a relative abroad, a paediatrician, who raised doubts. This prompted Praveen to approach police, leading to the case being converted into murder.
The investigation into Venella’s death continues.
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