Ballari (Karnataka), Jul 31 (PTI) A 28-year-old man allegedly killed his wife and seven-month-old daughter with a hammer following a domestic dispute, police said on Friday.
The deceased were identified as Rajeshwari (24) and Ashwini, they said.
The incident occurred in Andral area in Ballari taluk. After committing the crime, accused Honnurappa fled the scene but later surrendered at a local police station here, police said.
Speaking to reporters here, Superintendent of Police (Ballari) Suman Pennekar said the incident took place on Thursday night between around 8 pm and 9.30 pm. The couple had been married for about six years.
Citing preliminary investigation, the officer said that for nearly a year, there had been frequent domestic disputes between them. The allegation against the accused is that he constantly suspected his wife’s character.
Based on the complaint lodged by deceased’s brother, a murder case had been registered at the APMC Police Station, she said.
According to the SP, the deceased woman’s family members, including her brothers, live in the neighbouring house. They have informed investigators that even on earlier occasions, when disputes arose between the couple, they had intervened and resolved the quarrels.
“On Thursday, the altercation between the husband and wife intensified. It appears that the accused had already procured a hammer with the intention of committing the offence. He allegedly used the hammer to strike both the woman and the infant on their heads, killing them,” the officer said.
After the incident, the accused surrendered before police.
“We have taken him into custody and are questioning him to gather more details about the crime,” she said.
The accused’s mother was also present at the scene of the offence, police said, addintg that investigation is underway to verify her role in the incident of any.
“If evidence establishes her involvement, she will be made as the second accused in the case. Both of them are currently in our custody and are being questioned,” the SP said.
During interrogation, the accused told investigators that he committed the murders because he believed the child was not his. Apart from repeatedly suspecting his wife’s fidelity, he had also been telling her that the baby did not belong to him and allegedly used to assault her over the issue, the officer said.
“According to the information available so far, this appears to be the primary motive behind the crime. We are also investigating the weapon used in the offence–whether he had purchased it specifically for the crime and when he prepared for the act,” she said.
“We will collect every piece of information from him and incorporate it into a thorough investigation. We will complete the investigation and file the charge sheet at the earliest,” the SP added. PTI AMP SA
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