Woman, lover arrested for killing husband, young son

 

By Sagaya Fernando | August 19, 2026

Bengaluru, Karnataka, INDIA: A 25-year-old woman and her lover have been arrested for allegedly smothering her husband and young son to death at their home in Chikkabanavara, north Bengaluru, and attempting to pass off the deaths as an accident following a cardiac arrest, police said.

The accused have been identified as Kusuma alias Harini, 25, and Vinay Kumar, 30. Harini’s husband, Abhinandan, 34, who worked for a private company, and their young son were found dead inside their residence at Gudde Basavapura on Monday August 17.

According to police, Harini and Vinay had allegedly been in a relationship for around one-and-a-half years. The relationship had reportedly caused frequent disputes between Harini and Abhinandan.

Police suspect that following another argument between the couple on August 15, Harini allegedly contacted Vinay and decided to carry out a plan to kill her husband.

Police said Abhinandan and his son were sleeping in another room when Vinay allegedly entered the house. Harini and Vinay then allegedly attacked Abhinandan and smothered him with a pillow. When he resisted, Harini allegedly struck him with a kitchen utensil.

The commotion reportedly woke the child, who allegedly saw the two accused attacking his father. Fearing that the boy could reveal what he had witnessed, the duo allegedly smothered him with a pillow as well, police said.

Investigators suspect that the accused subsequently attempted to stage the scene to make the deaths appear accidental. Abhinandan's body was allegedly placed over the child to create the impression that he had suffered a cardiac arrest, collapsed on his son and accidentally suffocated him.

Police are also probing whether bloodstains inside the house were cleaned and whether CCTV cameras were deliberately switched off around the time Vinay allegedly entered the premises.

The following morning, Harini allegedly raised an alarm and informed relatives that her husband had suffered a cardiac arrest and fallen on their son, resulting in both deaths.

However, investigators became suspicious after noticing injuries on Abhinandan's body and inconsistencies in the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

During questioning, Harini allegedly gave contradictory versions of the incident. Police also reportedly discovered that contacts, messages and call records had been deleted from her mobile phone, strengthening their suspicion.

Following sustained questioning, Harini allegedly confessed to her involvement and disclosed Vinay's role in the crime, police said. Investigators subsequently traced Vinay to Ramanagara, where he was allegedly hiding, and arrested him.

Relationship allegedly began online

According to police, Vinay works at a steel factory and also undertakes part-time work. Harini was reportedly engaged in online work when the two became acquainted around one-and-a-half years ago and subsequently entered into a relationship.

Investigators also learnt that Harini had allegedly left her husband and son and eloped with Vinay around a year ago. Abhinandan subsequently approached the Soladevanahalli police and lodged a missing-person complaint. Harini reportedly returned home around two months later.

Despite her return, police said disputes between the couple over her alleged relationship with Vinay continued.

Victim's mother suspected foul play

The case took a decisive turn after Abhinandan's mother, Bhagyamma, raised suspicion over the deaths and lodged a complaint.

Bhagyamma, who works as a Second Division Assistant at a government high school in Kaudle in Maddur taluk, told police that she regularly travelled to Bengaluru to visit her son and grandson.

According to her complaint, Abhinandan had visited their native place on August 15 and returned to Bengaluru the following day. At around 6.30 am, Bhagyamma received a call informing her that her son and grandson had been found dead.

She reached Bengaluru at around 9.15 am and allegedly noticed injuries and bleeding on Abhinandan's head. She also suspected that the child had been smothered.

Bhagyamma told police that she already knew about her daughter-in-law's alleged relationship and her earlier departure from the family home. Suspecting that her son and grandson had been murdered, she sought a detailed investigation and legal action against those responsible.

The bodies were sent for post-mortem examination as police continued their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the double murder.