Bengaluru woman plots husband’s murder with lover, kills son to hide crime

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Aug 19, 2026: The twin murders of a 33-year-old man and his four-year-old son in northern Bengaluru on August 17 were allegedly planned by the man’s wife and carried out with the help of her lover, police said.

The two accused — Kusuma alias Harini, 26, and her alleged lover Vinay Kumar, 32 — have been arrested.

According to police, Kusuma and Kumar allegedly attacked her husband, Abhinandan, inside their home in Gudde Basaveshwara Nagar, Chikkabanavara. They allegedly banged his head against the bathroom wall and then strangled him.

Their four-year-old son, Yaduveer, woke up and witnessed the attack. Fearing that he would reveal the crime and become a key eyewitness, the accused allegedly smothered him to death, police said.

The murders took place late on August 16 and came to light early on August 17. Police said Kusuma had called Kumar to her home around 11 pm and switched off the CCTV cameras before his arrival.

Abhinandan was watching television until midnight before falling asleep. Kumar arrived shortly afterwards, and the two allegedly wore gloves before attacking him. Abhinandan woke up and resisted, managing to reach the bathroom, where the accused allegedly caught up with him and repeatedly banged his head against the wall.

After killing the father and son, Kusuma allegedly cleaned bloodstains, changed her bloodstained clothes and washed them in an attempt to destroy evidence.

She reportedly waited until morning before raising an alarm, telling neighbours that her husband and son were not waking up. Suspicious of the circumstances, the neighbours alerted the police.

During the initial investigation, police suspected Kusuma’s involvement after finding inconsistencies in her statements. She allegedly gave several versions of the incident before eventually admitting her role during questioning, police said.

Kumar had reportedly switched off his mobile phone before arriving at Kusuma’s house and switched it on again after leaving. Police traced him to Kanakapura, his hometown, and arrested him.

A court has remanded both accused to police custody for further interrogation.

Motive Behind the Murders

Police said Kusuma allegedly decided to kill her husband two days before the incident after he assaulted her. She reportedly contacted Kumar and told him about the assault, following which they allegedly planned the murder.

Kumar, an ITI dropout employed at a private company, had reportedly met Kusuma through Snapchat several years ago.

Kusuma married Abhinandan in 2021, but the couple frequently had disputes. She had left home in January 2025 but later returned. Abhinandan had also filed a missing-person complaint at Soladevanahalli Police Station at the time.