Bengaluru: Three police personnel, including a former inspector of Kadugodi police station, have been suspended for alleged dereliction of duty and delays in registering a murder case related to the death of five-and-a-half-year-old P. Vennela. The action follows allegations that officers failed to act promptly despite forensic findings indicating that the child had died due to suffocation.
The suspended personnel have been identified as Rangaswamy, former inspector of Kadugodi police station and currently serving as inspector at Electronics City Traffic Police Station, Police Sub-Inspector Ningaraju, who was the investigating officer, and constable Halesh Nayak, who was serving as station writer at the time of the incident.
Delay in registering murder case
According to police sources, the case was initially registered as an Unnatural Death Report (UDR). However, despite the postmortem report reportedly indicating suffocation as the cause of death, a murder case was not immediately registered.
Authorities alleged that the officers failed to take appropriate legal action after receiving the forensic findings and did not initiate a criminal investigation in a timely manner. The delay also reportedly resulted in a failure to arrest the accused at an earlier stage.
Following an internal review, the Bengaluru City Police administration treated the matter as a serious lapse in duty and initiated disciplinary proceedings against the officers concerned.
Suspension ordered after inquiry
The suspension orders were issued based on a report submitted by the Joint Commissioner of Police (East).
Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh ordered the immediate suspension of the three personnel pending further inquiry into their conduct and handling of the case.
Authorities have also appointed the Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Banaswadi Sub-Division as the investigating officer to oversee the probe into the alleged lapses and ensure an impartial investigation.
Family sought intervention
The case gained attention after the child’s aunt, a doctor based in England and sister of the victim’s father, reportedly sought assistance from a senior IPS officer of Inspector General of Police rank.
Concerned about the delay in registering a murder case despite the findings in the postmortem report, she approached the officer for intervention. Sources indicated that the request highlighted concerns regarding the manner in which the investigation was being handled.
The matter subsequently came under higher-level scrutiny, leading to a review of the actions taken by the officers involved.
Government cites serious dereliction of duty
Speaking on the issue, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the suspended officers had allegedly neglected their duties and failed to follow established legal procedures.
He stated that the postmortem report had been received on April 4 and that once the findings indicated a suspicious death, the officers should have treated the matter accordingly, registered an FIR and initiated a detailed investigation.
According to the minister, retaining the matter under the scope of a UDR despite the forensic findings amounted to serious dereliction of duty.
He further stated that the government would not tolerate negligence or violations of law by public officials and assured that further action would be considered once the complete investigation report is submitted.
Investigation into child’s death continues
The investigation into Vennela’s death is continuing, with police examining the role of the accused and the circumstances leading to the incident.
According to investigators, advocate Priyanka, the child’s mother, and her live-in partner Mohan G. were named in the FIR registered on June 4. Mohan was arrested the same day and remanded to police custody for questioning.
Police officials said Priyanka had allegedly attempted to distance herself from the incident by attributing responsibility to Mohan. Investigators are examining the statements made by the accused as part of the ongoing probe.
Authorities further alleged that evidence collected during the investigation suggests attempts were made to destroy evidence after the child’s death. Police claim the child was bathed and her clothes washed following the incident.
Investigators also alleged that Priyanka went into hiding after the case was registered, reportedly avoiding the use of mobile phones and banking transactions while carrying cash to evade detection.
She was subsequently apprehended and remanded to five days of police custody on Thursday for further questioning.
Probe remains underway
Police officials have stated that the investigation remains active and that all aspects of the case are being examined.
Authorities are expected to analyse forensic evidence, witness statements and digital records as part of efforts to establish the sequence of events leading to the child’s death.
The disciplinary action against the police personnel and the ongoing criminal investigation have drawn significant public attention, with authorities emphasising accountability both in the handling of the case and in determining responsibility for the child’s death.