A histopathology report has shed new light on the death of six-year-old P Vennela in Bengaluru on March 24, revealing internal injuries in her stomach. The report comes as police investigate the murder of the girl, with her mother's live-in partner arrested on murder charges.
Details of the Case
Vennela died under mysterious circumstances, with her father Praveen alleging she was kicked in the stomach and smothered to death. The girl was brought to Vaidehi Hospital by her mother Priyanka and friend Mohan. Priyanka initially claimed Vennela had been asleep inside their multiutility vehicle (MUV) with rolled-up windows, which may have caused asphyxiation. The MUV is now under forensic examination.
Fresh Case Filed
On June 4, Praveen filed a new case accusing Priyanka and Mohan of murdering Vennela, calling her an "obstacle" in their relationship. While Mohan is in 10-day police custody, Priyanka remains at large. To gather more evidence, police have subjected the MUV to a luminol test, a forensic solution that can detect blood even when diluted up to 10,000 times. If blood is found, DNA tests will confirm its origin.
Crime Scene Reconstruction
A senior police officer said they are recreating the crime scene by visiting locations where Priyanka, Mohan, and Vennela traveled on March 24. The trio drove from their Seegehalli villa in east Bengaluru to shops and eateries in Indiranagar, then to Hoskote and Kolar. In Hoskote, they had biryani and ice cream, and near Kolar, they stopped outside a coffee shop. Priyanka claimed Vennela fell asleep in the MUV back seat after eating and was carried to bed upon returning home.
Police have collected CCTV footage from the Seegehalli villa and eateries in Hoskote and Kolar to aid the investigation.
