BENGALURU: The three youths who have been arrested for killing the elderly couple Govindan K (65), a retired BEL employee, and his wife Saroja (60) in Marathalli on Sunday, had returned to the crime scene thrice to trigger a LPG cylinder blast.
According to City Police Commissioner Suneel Kumar, the accused Hussain Basha, Praveen Kumar and the couple’s grandson Pramod planned to make it appear that the deaths were caused due to a cylinder blast and hence had turned on the cylinders during one of the visits. The trio hatched this plan after hearing about incidents of cylinder blasts causing destruction to life and property in the city.
To commit the crime, they chose a time when no one else apart from the couple was in the building.
Pramod entered the house through the front door, and let in his two accomplices through the rear door. After committing the murders on Sunday, the trio returned to the house once on Monday morning and twice on Tuesday — in the morning and in the afternoon. During every visit, Pramod entered the house through the back door which would usually remain open during the day, while the other two stood guard outside.
The accused had wrapped up the bodies of the deceased in cloth. To trigger the blast, Pramod kept piles of clothes beside the bodies and set them on fire. However, despite repeated efforts, the blast did not occur.A police official said the three accused had got acquainted with each other in jail. All three have criminal records for petty thefts, including thefts of motorcycle and robbery from houses.
Govindan a campaigner, says Neighbour
One of the neighbours of the couple described Govindan as a “quiet man.” According to the neighbour, Govindan was among the most senior citizens in the immediate vicinity. He actively strived to solve civic issues such as fixing water supply or drainage, and would organise local people to petition local officials, the neighbour added.
Daughter remained oblivious
Usha, the daughter of the deceased couple, who was also the one to first discover the bodies, stayed in the same building as her parents. She told police that her parents had told her that they would leave for a temple in Kancheepuram on Sunday. This was why Usha did not check on them for two days. Usha, a widow, works as a nurse and has a daughter.
Police are exploring if the property in the name of Saroja’s father had any bearing on the case. Her father reportedly owns 50 acres in Varthur area and disputes within the family have occurred over the property.
HOW THE SAGA UNFOLDED
Sunday morning — Pramod, Praveen and Hussain meet, reportedly to finalise the plan they intend to execute later that day.
Sunday, 3 pm — Pramod enters his grandparents’ house through the front door and lets in the other two through the rear door. They murder the couple and exit the crime scene.
Monday morning — The trio returns to the crime scene to trigger a LPG cylinder blast.
Tuesday morning — The trio makes another visit to the crime scene, but again fail to accomplish their plan.
Tuesday evening — They try a third time to trigger the cylinder blast.
Tuesday evening — Neighbours smell gas coming from the house, and inform both Usha and someone from the gas agency. Usha discovers her parents’ bodies.
Early Wednesday — Three police teams are formed to solve the crime. Within a few hours, police detain Pramod, the couple’s grandson, for questioning. Pramod confesses to the crime.
Wednesday — Based on Pramod’s testimony, police arrest Praveen Kumar.
Wednesday evening — When police go to Hussain Basha’s hideout to arrest him, he attacks and injures a constable. Mahadevpura Sub-Inspector Prasheela fires a bullet at Basha’s leg and injures him.