A 45-year-old anesthesiologist was found dead inside his apartment in Karnataka's Dharwad, while his eight-year-old son was discovered with stab injuries in a separate room, prompting a murder investigation. The deceased has been identified as Dr Kiran Honannavar, an anesthesiologist at Chirayu Hospital.
Police have taken his wife, Dr Priyanka, an ophthalmologist, into custody for questioning. Their son is undergoing treatment at a private hospital after being admitted with injuries.
Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar said the initial investigation indicates that investigators do not believe anyone from outside entered the apartment, which is located in a highly secured residential complex. According to police, only the couple and their child were inside the home when the incident occurred.
The incident surfaced after Dr Kiran's relatives were unable to reach him despite repeated attempts. They were allegedly informed by his wife that he was resting and later that he had stepped out. After he remained unreachable until evening, family members went to the apartment, where they found him lying in a pool of blood. The injured child was also found inside the residence.
Officers said the boy was still alive when they reached the apartment and was immediately taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
Investigators found Dr Kiran dead in one room, while the injured child was located in another. Police said they are still working to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the incident.
Commissioner Shashikumar said Dr Priyanka is in a state of shock and has been giving inconsistent and unusual statements. Investigators are examining her account and collecting information from both families as they attempt to establish the motive behind the killing.
Police said there was no evidence of any dispute involving neighbours. CCTV footage from the apartment complex will be reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
A case has been registered at the Suburban Police Station. Authorities said the precise cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the murder are expected to become clearer after the post-mortem examination and further investigation.
Although relatives have accused Dr Priyanka of being responsible for the murder, police have not confirmed any involvement on her part and said the investigation remains in progress. Officials added that the incident appears to have arisen from a domestic dispute, but the exact motive has yet to be established.
Police have also not officially confirmed reports concerning the child's alleged mental health condition, saying that aspect of the case is still under investigation.
