The Bengaluru Police has filed an FIR in the suspicious death of retired Karnataka DGP Om Prakash, naming his wife Pallavi and daughter Kriti as suspects. Om Prakash was found dead at his residence in HSR Layout on Sunday. Police said his son, in a formal complaint, alleged frequent quarrels between his parents and raised suspicion over their role in the incident. Though Pallavi has been taken into custody for questioning, officials have not yet confirmed a formal arrest.
According to police sources, the incident came to light around 4:30 pm on Sunday when authorities were alerted. A Hoysala patrol vehicle was first on the scene but could not enter the residence as the door was not opened. It was only after HSR Layout police inspector and Zonal DCP Sarah Fatima arrived that entry was secured.
At the time of the incident, only Om Prakash, Pallavi, and their daughter Kriti were present in the house. Police say preliminary investigations point to a long-standing domestic dispute, especially over property.
Domestic conflict and property dispute claims
Om Prakash had reportedly decided to transfer his assets to his son, a decision that had caused considerable friction at home. Pallavi had also posted messages in a family WhatsApp group, alleging that her husband had harassed her and their daughter, even threatening them with a firearm. On the other hand, Om Prakash is said to have confided in colleagues about feeling mentally distressed due to his wife’s behaviour.
Knife recovered, further investigation underway
Police have recovered a knife from the scene, suspected to be the murder weapon, though forensic analysis is awaited. The residence has been sealed as the crime scene, and Om Prakash’s body was sent to St John’s Hospital for postmortem. The cremation is expected to be held after the body is handed over to the family.
Om Prakash, a 1981-batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre, served as Karnataka’s Director General and Inspector General of Police (DGP and IGP) in 2015 and retired in 2017.