A 24-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of her family in Bengaluru. Shwetha was taken into custody at a railway station in Puducherry after a special police team tracked her movements . Authorities are still searching for her boyfriend,Kenneth, who is also implicated in the crime.
The triple homicide occurred at an apartment in Sigehalli,where the victims were identified as Somesundar, 55,a software engineer,his wife Muthulakshmi, 48, and their younger daughter,Supriya, 20. The K.R. Puram police had formed six special teams to locate Shwetha and Kenneth,both of whom had been evading capture since the incident.
Evidence collected from the crime scene included a diary belonging to Shwetha,which reportedly contained entries indicating she was under significant stress. Investigators revealed that Shwetha and Kenneth had met while studying for their B.Tech degrees and had subsequently entered into live-in relationship. They quit their jobs to pursue a business venture, but financial troubles soon arose .
Shwetha and Kenneth allegedly took out loan of approximately ₹30 lakh in her parents' names without their knowledge. The situation escalated when Somesundar confronted Shwetha about the loan after receiving notices from the bank regarding repayment defaults. This confrontation, which occurred on the evening of the murders, is believed to have led to a violent argument.
During the altercation,Shwetha allegedly attacked her family with a knife,stabbing them multiple times. Muthulakshmi and Supriya died at the scene,while Somesundar managed to escape but later succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to the hospital.
Following the attack, Shwetha and Kenneth fled,with their departure captured by nearby CCTV cameras. Shwetha is expected to be presented in court soon,where she will be taken into custody for further questioning about motives behind the murders.
In her initial statements to police, Shwetha expressed resentment towards her mother, claiming that Muthulakshmi controlled her life and deprived her of freedom. She stated, “Whatever I did was wrong in her eyes. They took away my freedom and made me feel like an orphan despite having a family.” Shwetha has claimed sole responsibility for the murders of her mother and sister, alleging that Kenneth only assisted in cleaning up afterward.
However, police suspect that Shwetha may be misleading them. In a dying declaration,Somesundar reportedly indicated that Kenneth had also attacked him during the incident. Investigators are keen to determine Kenneth's exact role—whether he was merely an accomplice or actively participated in the murders.
After the killings,Shwetha and Kenneth attempted to escape on a scooter, which broke down . Reports suggest that Kenneth instructed Shwetha to board a bus alone while he remained behind. The search for Kenneth continues,as his testimony is considered vital for piecing together events surrounding this tragic case .
