Karnataka doctor found murdered at home, 8-year-old son stabbed; wife detained

Dharwad: A 45-year-old anaesthesiologist was found murdered inside his apartment in Karnataka's Dharwad on Thursday, while his eight-year-old son was discovered with multiple stab injuries. Police have taken the doctor's wife into custody for questioning as they investigate the case.

The deceased has been identified as Dr Kiran Honannavar, an anaesthesiologist attached to Chirayu Hospital. His wife, Dr Priyanka, an ophthalmologist, is being questioned, while their son is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

Police said preliminary findings suggest no outsider entered the apartment, which is located inside a high-security residential complex. Investigators believe only the couple and their son were inside the home when the incident occurred.

The case came to light after Kiran's family members were unable to reach him despite repeated phone calls during the day. According to police, Priyanka initially told relatives that Kiran was resting and later said he had stepped out. When he remained unreachable until evening, concerned family members visited the apartment and found him lying in a pool of blood.

The couple's eight-year-old son was found in another room with multiple stab injuries. He was still alive when police arrived and was immediately shifted to a nearby private hospital for treatment.

Investigators are yet to determine the exact sequence of events and said all available evidence is being examined.

According to police, Priyanka is currently in a "state of shock" and has made inconsistent and unusual statements during questioning. Investigators are verifying her account while also speaking to family members to establish a possible motive.

Police will also examine CCTV footage from the residential complex to reconstruct the movements of people inside and around the building before and after the incident.

A case has been registered at the Suburban Police Station. Officials said the exact cause of death and circumstances surrounding the murder are expected to become clearer after the post-mortem examination and further investigation.

While some of Kiran's relatives have alleged that Priyanka was responsible for the murder, police have not confirmed her involvement and said the investigation remains ongoing.

Officials added that the incident appears to have stemmed from a domestic dispute, though the precise motive has not yet been established.