Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Nov 13: In a shocking turn of events, the investigation into the murder-suicide case in Pakshikere involving Karthik Bhat (32), his wife Priyanka (28), and their 4-year-old son Hriday has revealed new details. Karthik, who took his own life by jumping in front of a train after allegedly killing his family, had hidden his mobile phone in the toilet commode of his residence.
During the investigation, the police recovered both Karthik's and Priyanka's mobile phones from the commode. This discovery has raised questions about who placed the phones there, with the possibility that Karthik himself might have disposed of them after the crime. The police have decided to send the recovered phones for forensic analysis to uncover potential clues. Adding to the mystery, a family photograph hanging on the wall had been defaced with ink, but it remains unclear who was responsible.
The couple’s daily routine included dropping their son at an LKG school in Suratkal, after which Priyanka would go to a gym. They frequently had breakfast and coffee at a local hotel, often bringing food home as a takeaway. Despite a lack of steady income, Karthik was known to borrow money from friends to cover daily expenses.
Gold ornaments in question
A local businessman, Mohammad, residing in Hoskadu, has accused Karthik of misappropriating his 10 sovereigns of gold ornaments. Mohammad had initially pledged the gold at a local bank for a loan of Rs 1.6 lac and was seeking additional financial assistance. Karthik, who was a manager at a cooperative society, convinced Mohammad to release the gold from the bank, promising a higher loan at the cooperative. Following this, Karthik pledged the gold at the cooperative society and secured a loan of Rs 3.04 lac for himself.
When news of Karthik’s suicide broke, Mohammad approached the cooperative society to inquire about his gold ornaments, only to be informed that the pledged gold had already been released within just four months.
Financial troubles and dismissal
Karthik had reportedly been involved in various business dealings, which led to severe financial distress. His misconduct in handling funds at the cooperative society resulted in his dismissal from the role of branch manager. The misappropriation of Mohammad’s gold and other financial irregularities were among the reasons for his termination.
With Karthik no longer alive, the investigation into the missing gold has become complicated. There is speculation that Karthik may have either sold the gold at a higher price elsewhere or pledged it again. The police face challenges in untangling the financial mess left behind by Karthik’s actions, and a comprehensive inquiry is now underway.