The sister of Rohan Chandra Bhat, 33, arrested for allegedly killing his parents in their Bengaluru home, has moved court seeking permission for him to perform their last rites, asserting that he is innocent.
Rashmi Chandra Bhat, 31, who arrived from the United States on Friday, told police that her brother should be allowed to conduct the rituals as he is the only son in the family. According to sources, she has formally requested the court’s intervention in the matter.
Accused under medical observation
Rohan is currently under treatment at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). Investigators from HAL Police Station said they are awaiting a medical fitness certificate before seeking his custody for detailed interrogation.
Police are also awaiting the post-mortem and forensic reports. Based on the family’s request, the post-mortem is scheduled for Saturday, after which the bodies will be handed over for final rites.
Allegations and legal complexity
Rohan is accused of fatally stabbing his parents — Naveen Chandra Bhat (60), a retired Indian Navy captain, and Shyamala Bhat (55), a dentist — at their villa in Vignan Nagar near HAL. The family, originally from Mangaluru, had been settled in Bengaluru for over two decades.
Police said Rohan had been undergoing treatment for depression and was diagnosed with schizophrenia (psychosis). Preliminary findings suggest frequent disputes over unemployment may have preceded the incident, though other angles are also being examined.
Legal experts describe the situation as complex. While courts sometimes permit accused persons to attend last rites under escort, the gravity of parricide — the killing of one’s own parents — may influence judicial discretion, particularly considering the accused’s mental health condition.