Rajajinagar murders: three bodies found; police to search Chamundi Hills, Shiradi Ghat

Police investigating the killing of seven members of a family in Bengaluru’s Rajajinagar have recovered two more bodies from a forest in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district, bringing the number found so far to three. Teams are now being sent to search Chamundi Hills near Mysuru and the Shiradi Ghat for the four still missing.

The two bodies found in Salem are those of the accused’s wife and her mother, according to reports. The first body recovered, earlier in the week, was that of a young boy, found near Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapur district.

The accused, a cab driver, is alleged to have killed his wife and six members of her extended family over about 15 days in October, inside the house he rented in Rajajinagar, and to have taken their gold ornaments before disposing of the bodies at different places. Police believe the sites include Nandi Hills, the Charmadi Ghat on the way to Mangaluru, and parts of Tamil Nadu.

Police are also examining the role of the accused’s teenage daughter, who they say helped him dispose of the bodies. The State’s Home Minister has said the girl was brainwashed by her father. A younger boy was found alive in the accused’s car when he was arrested.

How did no one notice?

The Hindu examined how the bodies were allegedly carried across districts and State borders without detection. The accused was not stopped by any patrol vehicle or checkpoint, even when he crossed into Tamil Nadu, the newspaper found, raising questions about how closely highways are watched.

What’s next

The search for the four missing bodies will continue at Chamundi Hills and Shiradi Ghat. Police have not yet said what they believe the motive was.