US-Returned Indian Techie Arrested for Alleged Murder of Parents in Bengaluru
In a shocking incident in Bengaluru, a 33-year-old Indian software engineer, Rohan Bhat, has been arrested on charges of murdering his parents. The alleged crime occurred at their villa in Vignan Nagar, near HAL Township, after a dispute over funding for his startup project.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Police reported that the incident came to light around 7:30 AM on Wednesday, February 11, when neighbors heard commotion and rushed to the villa. The victims, former merchant navy captain Naveen Chandra and his wife Shyamala, a dentist, were found with multiple stab wounds. They were immediately taken to Manipal Hospital on Old Airport Road but were declared dead on arrival.
Based on a complaint filed by a neighbor, Dr. Madhavi Nair, police arrested Rohan Bhat. Initial investigations suggest that the motive may be linked to a financial disagreement, with Rohan allegedly demanding Rs 4 lakh from his father for a new project, which was refused.
Investigation and Mental Health Concerns
Police officers stated that circumstantial evidence points to Rohan's involvement, but the exact motive remains unclear. A preliminary assessment indicates that Rohan might be suffering from schizophrenia, a serious mental health condition characterized by disorganized thinking and behavior.
"Rohan makes contradictory statements every now and then. Once, he claims his father refused to give him money for his project. Then, he changes it, saying the fight broke out over changing his mobile number from the family package. Also, he was undergoing mood swings," a police officer said.
Authorities are awaiting Rohan's psychiatric report to determine the next steps in the case. They plan to question him further once his younger sister arrives from the US.
Background of the Family
Naveen and Shyamala hailed from Mangaluru and had moved to Bengaluru around six years ago. Naveen served as a merchant navy captain in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, while Shyamala worked at Chinmaya Hospital in Indiranagar and ran a small clinic from their villa.
Rohan completed his undergraduate and graduate studies in America and worked with various tech companies before returning to Bengaluru in 2023. He told his parents he was freelancing for different firms but had differences with his father, though he reportedly loved his mother. Rohan lived in a rented house in Varthur, citing a desire for solitude.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Tragedy
On Monday evening, February 9, Rohan's parents returned to Bengaluru from a 10-day excursion in Bhubaneswar. Rohan came home to receive them, as informed by his mother. According to police, the fight broke out early Wednesday morning when Naveen was getting ready for a walk and Rohan repeated his demand for funding.
"At one stage, Naveen shouted at Rohan, asking him to leave the house immediately. According to Rohan, his father hit him with the stock of an airgun," an investigating officer said. Police found that Rohan used a kitchen knife in the alleged murder, though he claimed he did not remember anything.
Neighbor's Account and Medical History
Dr. Madhavi Nair, the neighbor who filed the complaint, stated that she received a call around 7:40 AM on Wednesday to attend to an emergency at villa 112. She found Naveen in the garden with multiple stab wounds and Shyamala lying unresponsive inside the house.
"I was told by my neighbor that their son, Rohan, was inside. I asked him to come out. He said he was hit on the stomach. Then, I went inside and checked on Shyamala. I could not feel a pulse," she said. Dr. Nair also mentioned that Shyamala had previously told her about Rohan's psychiatric issues and medication.
Police continue to investigate the case, with a focus on mental health evaluations and gathering further evidence to understand the full context of this tragic event.
