Bengaluru: Police in Bengaluru have taken Pallavi and Kriti—wife and daughter of former Karnataka DGP Om Prakash—into custody in connection with his sudden and tragic demise. The arrests come after a formal complaint lodged by the retired officer’s son, Kartikesh, who alleged that his mother and sister were directly involved in the killing.
The 68-year-old ex-top cop, a 1981 batch IPS officer originally from Bihar, was found lifeless and covered in blood inside his residence in the upscale HSR Layout area on Sunday. His body was discovered on the ground floor of the family’s three-storey home, bearing multiple wounds.
According to Kartikesh’s complaint, tensions had been mounting within the household. He claimed his mother had been threatening to harm his father for over a week, prompting Om Prakash to seek temporary refuge at his sister Saritha Kumari’s home. However, two days before the fatal incident, Kriti allegedly convinced him to return to their residence.
Recalling the moment he was informed, Kartikesh said he was at the Karnataka Golf Association when a neighbor called to relay the devastating news. “I hurried back home and found my father lying in a pool of blood, suffering from severe injuries to his head and body. A shattered bottle and a knife were lying close to him,” he recounted.
He added that frequent altercations between his father and the two women had become the norm at home, leading him to suspect foul play. His police complaint demanded immediate legal action.
Investigators suspect that the incident stemmed from a domestic conflict that turned violent. A senior police officer revealed that Pallavi allegedly threw chilli powder at Om Prakash’s face before attacking him with a kitchen knife. Reports also suggest that Pallavi had a history of mental health issues and was being treated for schizophrenia.
Following the incident, Pallavi reportedly made a video call to a friend. That friend’s husband contacted the authorities, triggering swift police intervention. Officials believe long-standing family tensions could have escalated into the brutal assault.
In her statement, Pallavi alleged that her husband had repeatedly threatened them with a firearm and claimed her actions were in self-defense. “She told us there was a scuffle after he became violent, and she acted to protect herself and Kriti,” a police source confirmed.
The investigation also uncovered that Pallavi had previously attempted to lodge a complaint against her husband at the HSR Layout police station. Frustrated by inaction, she even staged a sit-in outside the station, seeking justice.
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara acknowledged the seriousness of the case and assured that a thorough investigation was in progress. “There appears to have been ongoing tension within the family. Police are investigating all angles to determine the exact cause of the incident,” he told the media.
State Bids Farewell to Former DGP with Full Honours
After an autopsy was conducted at St. John’s Medical College Hospital, Om Prakash’s body was handed over to his family. The cremation took place on Monday evening at the Wilson Garden Cremation Ground with full state honours.
Senior police officers, family members, and close friends gathered for the funeral, where his son, Kartikesh, carried out the final rites.
“I’ve submitted my complaint, and I believe the police will handle the matter fairly. I won’t comment further until the investigation concludes,” he told reporters following the cremation.
Om Prakash, who hailed from Champaran in Bihar, had a distinguished career in the Indian Police Service. He was appointed as Karnataka’s DGP on March 1, 2015, and was known for his contributions to the state’s law enforcement and public service.
