S Indushekhar reportedly killed his wife Sunitha and six of her relatives at their rented house. Image: Accused Indhu Shekar (Left), Roopavati, mother-in-law (Right)
Police suspect that a 52-year-old cab driver, S Indushekhar, killed his wife and six members of her extended family over a 15-day period before wrapping their bodies in plastic sheets, stuffing them into gunny bags and ferrying them in his car to different locations. The 52-year-old cab driver was arrested near Ulsoorgate on Wednesday. Police suspect he killed seven people at his rented house on 59th Cross, Rajajinagar V Block, between October 14 and 31.
During interrogation, Indushekhar allegedly told police that he used sleeping pills to sedate his victims before bludgeoning them with a grindstone after they fell asleep. He would turn up the television volume while attacking them to ensure that neighbours did not hear the sounds of the assaults, police said. Police have recovered at least half a dozen perfume bottles from the Toyota Etios, which is now part of the investigation. Investigators are examining their possible use in connection with the disposal of the bodies. Investigators have also found that Indushekhar allegedly removed gold ornaments from the bodies of his wife and three other women before disposing of them. He is suspected to have sold some of the jewellery, and police are now trying to trace the transactions and establish where the ornaments went. The victims included his wife and six members of her extended family.
A 12-member team comprising family members has travelled to Salem to identify the bodies and complete the necessary legal formalities. The latest development in the case came with the recovery of the bodies of Indushekhar’s wife Sunitha and her mother Rupavathi from a forest area in Salem district of Tamil Nadu. This has taken the total number of bodies recovered to three. The case came to light after family members grew suspicious when several relatives went missing. A relative had also noticed that messages were being sent from Sunitha’s phone, but nobody was receiving calls from her.
Relatives of the victims have alleged that a dispute over property worth around Rs 3 crore could have been behind the killings, though police are continuing to establish the motive. Investigators are also examining the family property angle.