CHIKKAMAGALURU: A 40-year-old school van driver allegedly shot and killed three family members, including his six-year-old daughter, before taking his own life in Balehonnur late Tuesday night.
According to police, Rathnakar Gowda, a resident of Kithlikonda village in Khandya hobli, used a firearm to fatally shoot his mother-in-law Jyothi (50), sister-in-law Sindhu (24), and daughter Moulya (6). All three victims died on the spot.
His brother-in-law, Avinash (38), sustained a gunshot wound to his right knee and is currently receiving treatment, said Superintendent of Police Vikram Amate.
After the attack, Rathnakar turned the gun on himself, using the same single-barrel breech-loader (SBBL) weapon to commit suicide.
Family Dispute Behind the Tragedy
Police said a longstanding family dispute led to the attack. Rathnakar had been separated from his wife for two years, which may have triggered the violence.
The Balehonnur police have registered a case under Sections 302 and 307 of the IPC and relevant provisions of the Arms Act.
