Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru

Chikkamagaluru, Apr 2: In a shocking incident, a man shot dead his daughter, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law before taking his own life in Magalur village of Chikkamagaluru district.

The accused, identified as Rathnakar, a school van driver, was reportedly distressed over his wife leaving him two years ago.

On Tuesday night, Rathnakar stormed into his in-laws' house during the ‘Hosa Toduku’ festival and opened fire, killing his seven-year-old daughter, Moulya, his 50-year-old mother-in-law, Jyothi, and his 26-year-old sister-in-law, Sindhu. Sindhu’s husband was also injured in the attack and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Balehonnur town.

After committing the crime, Rathnakar recorded a video detailing his emotional turmoil before heading to an isolated location, where he turned the gun on himself. In the video, he expressed anguish over his wife’s absence, mentioning how his daughter frequently asked about her mother.

According to police, Rathnakar’s wife had left him and moved to Bengaluru, leaving their daughter in his care. On the festival day, his mother-in-law had taken Moulya from school to join the celebrations. It is suspected that Rathnakar, believing his estranged wife had returned, arrived at the house intending to kill her but, in a fit of rage, ended up shooting his daughter and in-laws before ending his own life.

The Balehonnur police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.