Teenager Kills Father and Sister in Koppal After Dispute Over Online Mobile Games
On the night of June 6, 2026, an 18-year-old pre-university (PU) student allegedly stabbed his father and elder sister to death, and left his mother grievously injured at their home in Hosa Ayodhya village in the Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district. The violent incident reportedly took place after the teenager was advised by his family to stop playing online mobile games.
The suspect, identified as Sai Venkat Manideep, allegedly turned the knife on himself after attacking his family. He is currently undergoing medical treatment for his injuries alongside his mother, Soujanya, at the VIMS Hospital in Ballari.
Local police identified the deceased as Venkat Naidu, 45, who worked as a cook at a private school, and his 19-year-old daughter, Pragathi.
According to the police complaint, the family, which included Venkat Naidu, his wife, their two children, and his parents, had dinner together before going to sleep. While the couple and their children slept in one bedroom, Venkat Naidu's parents, including the complainant Tatarao, slept in a separate room.
Around 10:30 p.m., Tatarao was awakened by a commotion and heard his son shouting. When he tried to open the bedroom door, he found it locked and had to seek assistance from neighbours to get inside.
Upon entering the room, they discovered Venkat Naidu, Soujanya, and Pragathi with severe stab wounds. Pragathi died on the spot, while Venkat Naidu later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. Soujanya sustained critical injuries to her head and neck.
In his complaint to the Gangavathi Rural police, Tatarao alleged that his grandson, Sai Venkat Manideep, suddenly became enraged, picked up a knife from the house, and stabbed his sister before turning on his parents and then slitting his own neck.
Superintendent of Police Dr. Ram L. Arasiddi confirmed that preliminary information pointed to a family member committing the crime. He stated that the injured victims told investigators that the suspect switched off the lights while the family was asleep and began attacking them with a knife. Further police investigation into the incident is currently underway.
