Bengaluru, Nov 7 (IANS) The investigation into the murder of seven members of a family is progressing, with police examining the possible involvement of the accused man's minor daughter and the circumstances under which she allegedly accompanied him while transporting the bodies, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said on Saturday. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge said only one of the seven bodies had been recovered so far and that the police were not disclosing further details as the investigation was still underway. "The accused has cited several reasons, including that his wife's family members did not speak to him properly. He has also made allegations against his wife. We are verifying all these claims," Kharge said.

He said there appeared to be an age difference of around 13 to 14 years between the accused, Indushekar, and his wife Divya. Neighbours had reportedly stated that the couple frequently quarrelled and shouted at each other. The police were verifying these statements, he added. Regarding the minor daughter, the Home Minister said the police were investigating whether she had abetted the crimes. Preliminary information suggested that the accused had made his daughter believe in him and allegedly brainwashed her. "It will take more time to establish all the facts," he said.

Meanwhile, investigators learnt that the accused wrapped the bodies with adhesive tape around 10 times before disposing of them. He allegedly took his minor daughter along while transporting the bodies, believing that her presence would prevent people from suspecting their movements. The bodies were transported during the early hours of the morning. Police have also found that the accused allegedly removed gold ornaments from the bodies of the victims. Some of the jewellery was reportedly sold, some pledged and the remaining ornaments kept in his possession. During questioning, the accused reportedly told police that he had no remorse for his actions.

The daughter is saying that she just followed the instructions of her father. The police are also investigating allegations that the accused misused his minor daughter to extort money from others by threatening them with cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. According to the information gathered, a dispute over vehicle parking had earlier led to a quarrel involving Shekar and his daughter, who allegedly filed a false complaint. Police had reportedly reprimanded them.

The accused's daughter allegedly used to record such altercations on her mobile phone whenever quarrels occurred. During questioning, she reportedly told police that she had acted according to her father's instructions. Meanwhile, police have seized the Toyota Etios car bearing registration number KA 02 AF 1488, which the accused allegedly used to transport the bodies. The vehicle had a 'Press' sticker pasted on it. Police reportedly recovered rose water from the car, which the accused allegedly used to prevent the foul smell of the decomposing bodies from spreading. The accused had also kept bedsheets and other materials inside the vehicle, which had allegedly been used to transport the bodies.

The car reportedly had outstanding traffic violation fines amounting to Rs 14,900 for offences including riding without a seat belt, jumping traffic signals and illegal parking. Interestingly, no traffic violations were recorded against the vehicle between October 16 and October 31. According to the investigation details, the accused allegedly began the killings on October 16 by murdering Sunitha. On October 18, he allegedly killed his mother-in-law Roopavathi and transported their bodies on October 19. On October 24, he allegedly murdered his brother-in-law Shivakumar. The following morning, October 25, he allegedly killed his wife Divya and son Puneeth. He reportedly transported the bodies on October 27.

On November 1, he allegedly murdered another brother-in-law, Shankar, and his wife Nalini. On November 2, he allegedly disposed of the bodies in areas surrounding Shiradi Ghat and Nandi Hills. The families subsequently lodged missing-person complaints with the police on November 3. Considering the seriousness of the case, the investigation has been transferred from Police Inspector Krishna to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Prabhavathi, who has been appointed as the Investigating Officer. Additional Commissioner of Police, Vamshi Krishna, will supervise and monitor the investigation. Police are continuing their investigation into the sequence of murders, disposal of bodies, alleged financial motives and the possible role of the accused man's daughter.

--IANS