Koppal Teenager Allegedly Kills Father and Sister After Mobile Gaming Dispute

An 18-year-old pre-university student allegedly stabbed his father and elder sister to death, and grievously injured his mother, on Saturday night at Hosa Ayodhya village in the Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district. The attack reportedly occurred after the teenager was advised against playing online mobile games.

The suspect, identified as Sai Venkat Manideep, allegedly turned the knife on himself after the attack. He and his mother, Soujanya, are currently undergoing treatment for their injuries at VIMS Hospital in Ballari.

The deceased have been identified as 45-year-old Venkat Naidu, who worked as a cook at a private school, and his 19-year-old daughter, Pragathi. The incident took place under the jurisdiction of the Gangavathi Rural police station on the night of June 6.

According to the police complaint filed by the suspect's grandfather, Tatarao, the family had dinner together before retiring for the night. While Venkat Naidu, his wife, and their two children slept in one room, Tatarao and his wife slept in an adjacent room.

At around 10:30 PM, Tatarao heard a commotion and his son shouting. Unable to open the locked door of the room, he sought assistance from neighbours to break in.

Inside, they found Pragathi, Venkat Naidu, and Soujanya with severe stab wounds. Pragathi died on the spot, while Venkat Naidu succumbed to his injuries after being taken to a hospital. Soujanya sustained serious injuries to her head and neck.

Tatarao's complaint states that Manideep suddenly became enraged, picked up a knife from the house, stabbed his sister, attacked his parents, and then slit his own neck.

Superintendent of Police Dr. Ram L. Arasiddi stated that preliminary information points to a crime committed by a family member. Investigators were told that Manideep switched off the lights in the room while the family slept before launching the knife attack. A police investigation is currently underway.