Bengaluru teen to testify on dad stabbing mom to death

BENGALURU: A minor boy will stand in the witness box and tell the court about the ghastly scene he saw on returning home from college: That of his father sitting next to the blood-soaked body of his mother, how his father threatened him to help him dispose the corpse and how he alerted the security guard who not only saved him, but also caught hold of the father.
On September 6, 2018, police had arrested Hiren Kumar, resident of Rajajinagar Ramamandir, on charges of stabbing his wife, K Preeti, 38, to death inside their apartment. A manager with a private firm, Kumar later told police he stabbed Preethi over a domestic fight and she died instantly. Their lone son, a PU student, was at college when the murder took place.
“The minor boy is the prime eyewitness in the case. The boy, currently in Mumbai with his maternal uncle, will depose before the court. Other than the boy, we have four more witnesses, including a woman, who are neighbours. Besides their statements, we have scientific evidences like finger prints, reports from Forensic Science Laboratory and CCTV footage,” deputy commissioner of police (north) N Shashikumar told STOI.
According to police, CCTV grabs showing Hiren and his son carrying the body is the crucial evidence. “CCTV from the apartment captured them carrying the body in a bed sheet and walking towards their car. After placing the body near the car, Hiren returns to his flat to lock the door. Using the opportunity, the boy alerted the security guard, saying his mother’s dead body is inside the bed sheet and he should help him nab his father,” said police.
The shocked guard confronted Hiren Kumar, asking what was there inside the bed sheet and why there was blood on it. “He alerted other occupants of the apartment, following which they called police,” added police.
Neighbour’s statement crucial
Since most of the evidences are circumstantial in nature, statements by occupants of the apartments are crucial, said police. “Four persons from two different families had heard Preeti crying for help. They had reached Kumar’s door and repeatedly pressed the door bell. Later, Kumar came out and told them it was regular fight and they should return. Statements by these neighbours will hold good,” said investigating officers.