Priyanka was apprehended from a homestay in Sakleshpur on Thursday after reportedly fleeing Bengaluru in an attempt to evade arrest. According to police, she initially traveled to Mysuru before moving to Sakleshpur.
Mohan G, who has been identified as the prime accused in the case, was arrested shortly after the FIR was registered on June 4 at Kadugodi Police Station. During interrogation, Mohan allegedly confessed to killing the child by assaulting and smothering her inside a car.
The tragic incident dates back to March 25, when Vennela was found dead under suspicious circumstances. Police are now questioning Priyanka regarding the events leading up to the child's death, the possible motive behind the crime, and whether she played any role in planning or executing the murder.
Investigators are also examining allegations that Priyanka's dissatisfaction with her daughter's complexion may have contributed to the motive, although officials have not yet confirmed this angle.
Meanwhile, serious lapses in the initial investigation have led to disciplinary action against three police personnel. An inspector, a sub-inspector, and a constable have been suspended for alleged negligence in handling the case.
Addressing reporters, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said that senior officers had identified shortcomings in the investigation. "Certain lapses were noticed during the inquiry. Action has been taken against the officials responsible, and the matter will be examined further," he said.
The commissioner added that the investigating officer has been replaced and that the case has now been transferred to an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)-rank officer from a different division to ensure a thorough probe.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge also criticized the handling of the case. He noted that the post-mortem report, received on April 4, should have prompted a deeper investigation into a possible suspicious death.
"Instead, the case was treated as an Unnatural Death Report (UDR) and was not pursued further as required by law. This was a serious mistake, which is why disciplinary action has been taken against the concerned officers," Kharge said.
According to the complaint filed by the child's father, Priyanka provided conflicting accounts regarding the circumstances of Vennela's death. Initially, she claimed that the child had eaten biryani on the night of March 24 and was found dead the next morning.
However, she later allegedly stated that Vennela had been left sleeping inside an air-conditioned car while she and Mohan celebrated her birthday at a café in Kolar. According to this version, the child was discovered dead after being brought home the following day.
The father, suspecting foul play and alleging that evidence may have been destroyed, approached the police and lodged a formal complaint.
Police officials said that the investigation remains ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as questioning of the accused continues.
