UDUPI: Four members of a family were stabbed to death by an unidentified person with a sharp object at Tripti Nagar in Nejar near Santekatte. The attacker fled from the house after committing the murders.
According to sources, the deceased include a woman and her three children – Hasina (46), daugheters Afnan (23), Aynaz (21) and son Asim (12). They were murdered with a sharp object.
It was alleged that a person forced his way into the house and had a verbal exchange. First, he stabbed Hasina, Afnan, and Aynaz. At the time, Asim, who was playing outside, heard the noise and came inside the house. Later, the unidentified person killed the younger son too.
Following the incident, a woman from the neighboring house came out on hearing the commotion. Then the assailant threatened her and fled from the place. Hasina’s mother-in-law, who was inside the house, also suffered serious injuries. Hasina’s husband is employed abroad. The incident took place in his absence.
On receiving information, a police team rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies.
Officials said that it did not seem to be a case of murder for gain and that the exact motive was not clear.
“At the outset, it does not seem to be a case of murder for gain, as there is no missing property from the house,” Udupi Superintendent of Police Arun K told reporters after visiting the crime scene.
The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, and the police are investigating the case from all angles, the SP said.
Officials added that based on the preliminary investigation, it has come to light that Haseena’s husband works abroad and she used to live at her residence with her three children.
Police recovered CCTV footage near the house which shows a suspect get down from an autorickshaw. He was wearing a checked shirt and dark trousers, and had covered his face with a mask. He can be seen walking on the road for some distance, with his bag hanging from the front and then he crosses the road and moves on.
The incident is said to have taken place around 9 am on Sunday. But the exact reason for the killing has not been ascertained yet. The Malpe police are investigating the case.