Saragur: A 32-year-old specially abled man has gone absconding after allegedly killing his mother, nine-month-old pregnant wife and two children. The shocking incident took place at Chamegowdanahundi village, about 8 kms from Saragur, which came to light today morning.

While a few villagers alleged that it was a pre-planned murder, others said that the man had killed his family members in a drunken stupor and escaped in his vehicle.

While the accused has been identified as 32-year-old Manikantaswamy, a tailor by profession, the deceased are Kempajamma (62), mother of Manikantaswamy, his wife Ganga (28) and children Samrat (3) and Rohit (1). 

The murders came to light when Manikantaswamy’s sister came to the house at about 7 am today to take Ganga to the hospital for a check up as she (Ganga) was nine months pregnant.

Some villagers suspected that Manikantaswamy, after rendering his family members unconscious by mixing chemicals in their food and killed them by hitting them with his metal crutches, before fleeing from the spot on his vehicle. A few alleged that Manikantaswamy was a drunkard, who used to consume liquor daily and fight with his family besides suspecting that he (Manikantaswamy) may have killed his family members in a drunken stupor. But the exact reason behind the murders would be known only after a thorough Police investigation.  

Meanwhile, Saragur Sub-Inspector Divya suspected that the murders may have taken last night. Forensic experts, dog squad and fingerprint experts have been pressed into service. 

Top Police officers including IGP (Southern Range) Pravin Madhukar Pawar, Additional SP Shivakumar, Dy.SP Raviprasad, Circle Inspector Anand, District Officials, Tahsildar and others were present at the spot. Saragur Police, who have registered a case, have launched a hunt to nab Manikantaswamy.