Puttur Murder Case - Police Gather Proof Against Missing Venkataramana
Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (NM)
Puttur, Jun 16: Puttur police have almost ascertained that Venkataramana Bhat, a resident of Bettampady here, was the killer of his wife and three children. His family was found brutally murdered on Thursday June 14, but the murder was suspected to have taken place on Tuesday June 12.
Venkataramana has been absconding every since, and unconfirmed reports suggested that he too may have ended his life. If his death is confirmed, it will bring the case to a tragic end.
It may be recalled that on June 14, Venkataramana's wife Sandhya, daughters Vedhya and Vinuta and Harigovind were found dead in their house at Bettampady. The bodies were discovered by an electricity bill collector. It is suspected that Venkataramana may have administered a dose of sleep-inducing medicine, as syringes were found at the spot, before hacking them to death.
There was also a bucket of blood-stained water in the courtyard, indicating that Venkatramana may have washed his hands and weapons after killing the family.
On June 4, a complaint of theft was lodged, stating that seven sovereigns of gold and Rs 50,000 in cash was stolen from the house belonging to Venkatramana Bhat. However, during the investigation, it was learnt that it was a false complaint; and accordingly a report was filed to be submitted in court. The fact was further affirmed when Venkatramana Bhat did not turn up for the inquiry.
It is said that Venkataramana allegedly killed his wife and children out of fear that they might reveal the truth about the false complaint, and thereby bring disgrace to his name as an astrologer. They had been previous questioned by the police in the theft case.
Earlier, Venkatramana Bhat had recruited a lady by name Vimala to assist him in computer data entries, as he had no knowledge of it. As per her routine, she had come down a day after the murder, and to her surprise, Bhat asked her to return home saying that there was no work that day.
When Vimala inquired about his wife and children, he chased her away and warned her not be in the premises of his house again. Vimala told her father Krishnappa Naik about Venkataramana's strange behaviour. Next day, Krishnappa visited Ventakaramana's house, but got no response to his knocks. Presuming that no one was home, he returned, and did not share the information with anybody. However, after the murder, Krishnappa narrated the incident to the police, who confirmed that neither Krishnappa nor Vimala were connected with murders.
Also, though Venkataramana had complained that his mobile phone was stolen in the June 4 theft, till the day of the murder he dialled a number from his phone every night. That number was found to be Vimala's, and on questioning, she told the police that her employer used to call her regarding typing work.
It is also learnt that there were regular quarrels between Venkatramana Bhat and Sandhya after the theft incident.
According to the police, many CDs of porn material were found in the computer room.
Puttur police circle inspector H Y Jagdish, sub-inspector U B Nandkumar have taken up the investigation, under the direction of Puttur assistant SP M N Anucheth.