BENGALURU: A distraught Meghana looked around her in shock, less than 12 hours after the news of her mother's death was broken to her.
The nine year old daughter of Prabha Arun Kumar who was murdered in Sydney last week, Meghana was hoping to see her mother in April this year.
It was only on Saturday night, when Arun Kumar returned with Prabha's body, that Meghana was told of her mother's death.
After spending three years in Australia away from her daughter, not only was Prabha looking forward to coming to India in May this year, but the family had even planned a trip to Australia in April.
Because Meghana's exams were about to begin, the family had not told her about Prabha's death. More over, they felt that it was best if her father was around when she learned of it.
On Saturday night, Prabha's body was flown in to Bangalore from Sydney. It was only after Arun reached home with the body that he explained to Meghana what had happened in Sydney.
"Her father explained it to her when he returned. He told her what happened to her mother. Meghana understands that something bad has happened but we are not sure if she understands the gravity of it all," said Kumaraswamy, a close family friend.
Hundreds gather to pay last respect Hundreds of people gathered at the family's Chandra Layout home, where Prabha's body was brought in before it was flown to Mangalore for her last rites.
Friends, relatives in Bangalore began coming by 6.30 in the morning, till about 10 am to pay their last respects.
At 10 am, the body was taken in a hearse to HAL airport, from where MindTree had arranged for a private charter to take Prabha's body and her family to Mangalore, where her cremation will be done.
According to family members, Prabha's husband Arun is still in shock about her death. "Even before the news of her death could reach him, he was on his way to Australia. In Sydney, he has been talking to investigating officers and government authorities, trying to complete all the procedures and bring Prabha's body to India and complete her last rites. He has not had time to think or digest her death. The next few days are going to be even more tougher on him," said a relative.
Home Minister KJ George, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda and Ananth Kumar, former minister Shoba Kharandlaje were among those who visited the family to offer their condolences.
Investigation nowhere
While Australian authorities had helped the family tremendously over the last week, family and friends of Prabha are concerned that they are still clueless about the identity of the killer or his motive.
Distraught relatives are even questioning whether Australian authorities are actually doing their best to catch the killer.
"Why is it so difficult to track down the killer, at least his last location using Prabha's phone?" asked Jayalakshmi, a neighbour who had come to the house, early on Sunday morning. "I think the officials would have at least made an effort if it were an Australian who was killed in the attack," she opined.
With investigation shedding no light into why Prabha was killed, family are also wondering if this was in fact a racial attack. "We do not know for sure, but this thought is always in the back of our minds considering that the police have not been able to find any other motive for her murder. Perhaps, this was a racial attack," said Kumaraswamy, adding that the progress made, so far, in the investigation, was unsatisfactory.
"Whatever be the reason or whoever is the person behind the murder, we hope investigation will conclude soon. It will not bring back a beautiful person such as Prabha, but we at least hope that the family will be able to get some closure," he said.
Quotes:
Shobha Kharandlaje: "I hope Prabha's soul finds peace. What happened to her shook the nation. We will talk to Sushma Swaraj, [External Affairs Minister] to speak to Australian authorities to speed up and complete the investigation," she said.
K J George, Home Minister This is a very unfortunate incident. Both companies and countries need to take care of people living there- be it their own citizens or those working for them.
Sadananda Gowda: "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been trying to foster good relationships with other countries. After this incident, it calls for wider consultation with the Australian government, especially considering that so many students and working professionals live there. We need to push for better relationship with countries, better internal security and severe steps to punish those involved in such crimes."