Dharwad doctor found dead, son stabbed, wife scrolling her phone

A doctor was found allegedly murdered in his apartment in Dharwad, Karnataka, and his eight-year-old son was in a pool of his own blood, with his wife lying on the bed nonchalantly scrolling on her phone.

The shocking incident took place on Wednesday (July 17), following which the child, who was found to be still alive, was rushed to a hospital.

The horrific incident came to light after the neighbours of the family informed the police. According to an India Today report, when the police team walked into the room, they found blood splattered across the floor.

Doctor found dead

A video purportedly recorded at the apartment showed a disturbing scene. Dr Kiran Honannavar's wife was seen lying on the bed and scrolling through her phone while her husband and son lay in separate pools of blood inside the house.

Also Read: Bengaluru triple murder: Accused's live-in partner held in Puducherry

After receiving information about the incident, Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar rushed to the spot. On entering the flat, the police team noticed that the injured child was still breathing. He was immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Child rushed to hospital

According to media reports, Kiran's relatives and friends had repeatedly tried to reach him by phone on Tuesday night and again on Wednesday morning. Each time, Priyanka answered the calls. She initially told them that Kiran was resting and later claimed that he had stepped out for work.

Also Read: Bengaluru woman 'kills' 5-yr-old daughter with live-in partner, arrested

As there was still no response from him, concerned relatives went to the couple's sixth-floor apartment on Wednesday evening. Inside, they found Dr Kiran and his son lying in pools of blood, while the accused was on the bed, scrolling through her phone.

Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar said Dr Honannavar, an anaesthetist at Chirayu Hospital, lived in the apartment opposite Pavan High School along with his wife, Priyanka Kattanahalli, an MBBS graduate with an MS in Ophthalmology, and their eight-year-old son. He also said Kiran's relatives were regular visitors to the family's home.

Police reconstruct timeline

Recounting what officers found after entering the flat, the Commissioner said Dr Honannavar was lying dead in one of the rooms in a pool of blood. Their eight-year-old son had also sustained stab injuries.

"We are yet to ascertain during the investigation when exactly the child was attacked. Since he was still alive, we shifted him to the hospital immediately," he added.

Also Read: Bengaluru twin murders: 3 arrested for hacking of CEO, MD of private firm

The Commissioner said investigators are now trying to determine when the incident took place and what may have led to it.

Preliminary findings suggest that only the husband, wife and child were inside the apartment when the incident occurred, and there is no indication at this stage that anyone from outside entered the house.

Murder case registered

Elaborating further, the Commissioner said that the neighbours had been trying to contact the family since Wednesday morning. However, Priyanka allegedly told them she was inside the apartment and that her husband had gone out.

"We will conduct a detailed investigation to determine what exactly happened, whom she spoke to, what she told them, and the sequence of events inside the apartment," the Commissioner said, adding that a murder case has been registered and further investigation is underway.