Police suspect son's complicity in father's killing

The assailants who hacked Narayana Swamy to death, were hired by someone close to the family, claimed the police sources

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The city police investigating the murder of a 70-year old man in Marathahalli, have detained his son, Manikantha, on suspicion of his involvement in the crime.

Police sources said the investigation so far has indicated that the assailants who hacked Narayana Swamy to death, were hired by someone close to the family. It has been learnt that Swamy's son, Manikantha, 37, had already served a jail term for murdering his first wife.

Following his release, he married another woman and had a daughter. Despite this, it is alleged that he was in a relationship with another woman due to which his wife started living separately. However, Manikantha's father tried to resolve the issue between the couple several times.

Swamy later decided to bequeath his ancestral property to his daughterin-law and granddaughter, to enable Manikantha live with his wife and daughter. This had enraged Manikantha. He attempted to murder his second wife. The police, however, tried to settle the matter between the couple without registering any case, sources said.

On Monday, Narayana Swamy was attacked by two bike-borne assailants near Panathur while he was on his way to the subregistrar office. Considering all the factors, the police suspected Manikantha to be behind the murder. Currently, the police are interrogating the suspect in connection with his father's murder. Further probe is on.