BENGALURU, India – Tense details have surfaced regarding the brutal killing of retired Karnataka police chief Om Prakash, 68, who was found fatally stabbed at his residence here. Police investigations suggest his wife as the leading suspect amid reports of a tumultuous family dynamic and alleged threats made against him by her.
Prakash, a distinguished member of the Indian Police Service since 1981 and a former Director General of Police, suffered multiple stab wounds to his abdomen and chest. His body was discovered in his home, a grim scene with a knife and a shattered bottle nearby, sparking a complex police probe into the circumstances leading to his death.
According to a police statement, Om Prakash’s son, Karthikesh, disclosed that his mother, Pallavi, had previously threatened to kill his father. The relationship between the couple was reportedly strained, marred by frequent disputes and serious allegations of threats on Prakash’s life.
The investigation revealed that two days before the tragic incident, Prakash’s daughter, Kruthi, persuaded him to leave his sister’s place, where he had sought refuge, and return home. Karthikesh, who was away at the Karnataka Golf Association on the day of the murder, received urgent news of his father’s condition from a neighbor and immediately rushed home.
Upon his return, he found his father in a distressing state, spurring immediate police involvement. During their inquiry, Karthikesh expressed suspicions about the mental health of both his mother and sister, claiming their conditions might have played a role in the aggression towards his father.
Over 12 hours of questioning has been directed at both Pallavi and Kruthi, yet no arrests have been made. The police are digging deeper into the motives behind the murder, exploring not only the familial discord but also a dispute over property that may have escalated to violence.
Sources close to the investigation shared that prior to the attack, there was a violent altercation in which Pallavi allegedly used chilli powder against Prakash, restrained him, and then proceeded to strike him with a bottle before stabbing him.
Further complicating the matter is a confession Pallavi purportedly made to another police officer’s wife, claiming responsibility for the murder. This confession has since been relayed to the authorities and is being scrutinized as part of the ongoing investigation into the exact sequence of events that led to Prakash’s untimely death.
Authorities are cautious about the sensitivity and implications of the mental health claims made by Karthikesh, working diligently to parse out emotional elements from factual evidence as they seek justice for the fallen officer.
Om Prakash, who hails originally from Bihar and holds a Master’s Degree in Geology, had served in prominent capacities in law enforcement including as chief of the Fire and Emergency Services and Home Guards before his tenure as Director General of Police of Karnataka. His career was marked by substantial contributions to public safety and community services, making his violent death all the more shocking to the local community and his colleagues across the state.