Bengaluru Murder Investigation Takes Psychiatric Turn
The investigation into the brutal murder of a couple by their 33-year-old son in an upscale Bengaluru villa community has taken a significant and complex turn. Police have revealed that the accused, Rohan Bhat, was grappling with serious psychiatric issues, potentially including schizophrenia.
Accused Sent to Nimhans for Evaluation
Rohan Bhat, a US-returned software engineer arrested by HAL police, was sent to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) on Thursday. Authorities determined it was not prudent to place him in police custody at this juncture. Based on preliminary assessments, a police officer indicated Rohan could be suffering from schizophrenia, a serious mental health condition characterized by disorganized thinking and behavior.
The Tragic Incident
On Wednesday, HAL police arrested Rohan on charges of stabbing his parents to death inside their villa in Vignan Nagar, near HAL Township. The victims were identified as former merchant navy captain Naveen Chandra and his dentist wife Shyamala.
The incident came to light around 7:30 AM when neighbors, hearing commotion, rushed to the villa. The couple was immediately shifted to Manipal Hospital on Old Airport Road but was declared dead on arrival. Police later apprehended Rohan based on a complaint filed by neighbor Dr. Madhavi Nair.
Conflicting Motives and Statements
"Though circumstantial evidence points to Rohan's involvement in the murder, what is evading clarity is the exact motive behind the murder," a police officer stated. "Rohan makes contradictory statements every now and then. Once, he claims his father refused to give him Rs 4 lakh for his new project. Then, he changes it, saying the fight broke out over changing his mobile number from the family package."
The officer added that Rohan was undergoing mood swings, prompting authorities to wait for his younger sister's arrival from the US before further questioning.
Family Background and Dynamics
Police discovered that Naveen and Shyamala originally hailed from Mangaluru. Naveen, a merchant navy captain, had served in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata before the family shifted to Bengaluru approximately six years ago. Shyamala worked at Chinmaya Hospital in Indiranagar and ran a small clinic from their villa.
Rohan completed both undergraduate and graduate studies in America. "A software engineer, Rohan worked with different companies before returning to Bengaluru in 2023," an investigating officer explained. "He told his parents he was freelancing for different tech firms. However, Rohan had differences with Naveen, though he loved his mother. Saying he wanted to work in solitude, he lived in a single-bedroom rented house in Varthur."
The Fatal Confrontation
The couple had returned to Bengaluru on Monday evening from a 10-day excursion to Bhubaneswar, Odisha. "Since his mother intimated him, Rohan came home to receive them," an investigating officer detailed. "According to Rohan, he requested Naveen to fund his projects and Naveen refused. However, the fight broke out early Wednesday morning when Naveen was getting ready for a walk and Rohan repeated his demand. At one stage, Naveen shouted at Rohan, asking him to leave the house immediately. According to Rohan, his father hit him with the stock of an airgun."
Police found that Rohan used a kitchen knife to kill his parents, though he claimed he did not remember anything about the incident.
Neighbor's Harrowing Account
In her complaint, neighbor Dr. Madhavi Nair stated she received an emergency call around 7:40 AM Wednesday regarding villa 112. "I rushed out and found Naveen in the garden of the opposite house. He had multiple stab wounds," she recounted.
"I saw Shyamala lying on the floor inside the house. She was not responding. I was told by my neighbor that their son, Rohan, was inside. I asked him to come out. He said he was hit on the stomach. Then, I went inside and checked on Shyamala. I could not feel a pulse," Dr. Nair continued.
Significantly, she also noted, "Shyamala told me that Rohan had some psychiatric issues and was on medication."
Investigation Continues
The case continues to unfold as authorities balance the clear evidence of Rohan's involvement with the emerging psychiatric dimensions. The transfer to Nimhans represents a crucial step in understanding the mental state of the accused at the time of the murders, potentially influencing both the investigation's direction and future legal proceedings.
