Bengaluru Police Probe IVF Link in Murder of Six-Year-Old Girl by Mother and Partner

Bengaluru police investigating the murder of a six-year-old girl in Kadugodi have revealed that her mother, advocate Priyanka P, and her partner, Mohan MG, had initiated In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures prior to the child's death. The discovery has prompted investigators to examine whether the couple's plans to start a new family were linked to the murder of the young girl.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, Priyanka and Mohan had visited a hospital where an egg sample was allegedly collected as part of the IVF process.

Priyanka was arrested on Thursday after a seven-day search. Police traced her to a farmhouse in Sakaleshpur in Hassan district, located approximately 220 kilometers from Bengaluru. Investigators stated that she had changed locations twice during the week she was on the run. She initially stayed at a secluded commercial resort on the outskirts of Sakaleshpur for two to three days before moving to a farmhouse owned by a common acquaintance named Chiru.

A local court has remanded Priyanka to five days of police custody.

The murder case came to light after Priyanka’s estranged husband, Praveen, filed a complaint against her and Mohan at the Kadugodi police station on June 4. Mohan was arrested by the police soon after the complaint was filed.

During his interrogation, Mohan allegedly confessed to killing the child by assaulting and smothering her inside a car. Police are currently questioning Priyanka about the alleged conspiracy, her role in the child's death, and the motive behind the crime. Investigators are also looking into allegations that Priyanka's reported dissatisfaction with her daughter's complexion could have been a possible factor behind the murder.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh acknowledged that some lapses were found in the initial stages of the investigation, and action has been taken against those responsible. He noted that a report regarding the lapses had been received and acted upon. The investigating officer has since been replaced, and the case has been handed over to an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)-level officer from another division.