Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh has suspended three police personnel, including a former Kadugodi police inspector, over alleged lapses in the investigation of a five-year-old girl’s murder case that shocked the city.
The action follows a preliminary inquiry into the handling of the case involving Priyanka P, an advocate, and her live-in partner Mohan G M, who are accused in the child’s murder.
Officers suspended for alleged dereliction of duty
The suspended personnel include former Kadugodi police inspector Rangaswamy H M, sub-inspector Ningaraju Anninavar and constable Halesh Naik.
According to police, the initial investigation treated the case as an unnatural death. However, suspicions grew after the post-mortem examination reportedly indicated signs of foul play, leading investigators to register a murder case.
The disciplinary action was taken after authorities identified what they described as serious shortcomings in the manner in which the case was initially handled.
Fresh investigation ordered
Commissioner Singh has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of the Banasawadi subdivision to conduct a fresh investigation into the case.
The probe will examine whether there was any motive or intent behind the alleged failure to properly investigate the child’s death and determine if any deliberate omissions occurred during the inquiry.
Police officials said a detailed departmental investigation will follow, with further action to be based on its findings.
Suspended inspector denies negligence
Rangaswamy, who is currently serving as inspector at the Electronics City Traffic Police Station, denied allegations of negligence.
He maintained that investigators were awaiting the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report and had already registered a suspicious death case after noticing contradictions in statements made during the inquiry.
According to him, the investigation was ongoing when he was transferred, after which the child’s father approached the current inspector, leading to further developments and the arrest of the accused.
The case gained widespread attention after Mohan allegedly confessed to assaulting and smothering the child inside a car near Hoskote. Investigators continue to probe the motive behind the crime while examining the circumstances surrounding the initial investigation. #Bengaluru #CrimeNews #KarnatakaPolice #Investigation #PoliceAction #newskarnataka