Mother, live-in partner booked for murder of 6-year-old daughter

 

By Sagaya Fernando | June 8, 2026

Bengaluru, Karnataka, INDIA: More than two months after a six-year-old girl was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Bengaluru's Kadugodi area, police have converted the case into a murder investigation and booked the child's mother and her alleged live-in partner.

The case pertains to the death of Vennela, who was found dead on March 25 at a rented villa in Seegehalli under the jurisdiction of Kadugodi Police Station. Based on a complaint filed by her father, Praveen Basappa, police have registered a murder case against the girl's mother, advocate P. Priyanka, and her alleged partner, Mohan G. Mahalingappa, a real estate developer.

Mohan has been arrested and remanded to seven days of police custody for questioning, while Priyanka is reportedly absconding. Police teams have been deployed to trace her.

Death Initially Treated as Unnatural

According to investigators, the incident occurred on the night of March 24, which was Priyanka's birthday. Priyanka allegedly told family members that she had fed Vennela biryani and ice cream before the child fell asleep in the car. She claimed the girl was left sleeping inside the vehicle with the air conditioner running while she and Mohan visited a nearby coffee shop.

Upon returning home, Priyanka allegedly carried the sleeping child to bed. The following morning, Vennela failed to wake up and was rushed to Vydehi Hospital in Whitefield, where doctors declared her brought dead.

Police initially registered the case as an unnatural death, suspecting food poisoning or another medical cause. However, the post-mortem examination failed to establish a definitive cause of death, prompting investigators to send viscera samples for forensic analysis.

Contradictions Raise Suspicion

As the investigation progressed, police reportedly identified inconsistencies in statements provided by those involved. Suspicion deepened after Mohan sought anticipatory bail shortly after the incident.

Praveen Basappa later approached police, alleging that his daughter's death was not natural and demanding a thorough reinvestigation. According to his complaint, he suspected that Vennela had been murdered because she was perceived as an obstacle to Priyanka and Mohan's relationship.

The father alleged that the child may have been assaulted and smothered before being taken to the hospital. He also shared the autopsy report with his sister, a paediatric specialist based in the United Kingdom, who reportedly expressed concerns that the circumstances surrounding the death indicated possible foul play.

Family Dispute and Relationship Angle

According to Praveen, he and Priyanka had been married for 17 years and have two daughters. He alleged that marital problems began in 2025 after Priyanka travelled to Bengaluru for legal work and reconnected with her former college friend, Mohan.

Praveen claimed that the two developed a close relationship, resulting in the breakdown of the marriage. Following the separation, the couple's elder daughter stayed with him, while Vennela lived with Priyanka in Bengaluru.

He further alleged that Priyanka and Mohan had secretly married in December 2025 and later travelled to Dubai together. Praveen claimed he agreed to divorce proceedings after being threatened with losing access to his daughters.

Murder Probe Underway

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Whitefield) Saidulu Adavat said investigators initially lacked complete medical evidence when Mohan obtained anticipatory bail. However, after examining circumstantial and medical evidence, police approached the court, leading to the cancellation of his anticipatory bail.

Police are now investigating multiple possibilities, including whether the child died due to suffocation after being left in the vehicle, poisoning, or other criminal acts. Investigators are awaiting the final forensic science laboratory report, which is expected to provide crucial evidence regarding the exact cause of death.

Officials emphasised that the case remains under investigation and that conclusions regarding the allegations will depend on forensic findings and evidence presented before the court.