Bengaluru: The murder of seven members of a family was allegedly part of a conspiracy by prime accused S Indushekhar alias Arjun Indushekhar, 52, to gain control of his wife’s family’s properties worth around Rs 2.5 crore.In a significant development, police have learnt that he had procured stamp papers before the murders and allegedly obtained the thumb impressions of the deceased on them afterwards.Indushekhar, who married Sunitha around two decades ago, allegedly held a grudge against her family over personal disputes and had his eyes on the property owned by his mother-in-law, Rupavathi.After killing Sunitha, Rupavathi and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, he allegedly pressed their thumb impressions on the stamp papers individually. “A few stamp papers are empty. We are verifying whether the thumb impressions were taken before or after the murders,” a senior police officer said.The documents have been sent to experts to ascertain whether the impressions were obtained after the victims were killed. “We are also verifying whether Sunitha and Rupavathi were able to sign, based on their banking and PAN card documents,” the officer added.During interrogation, Indushekhar reportedly told police that his wife frequently insulted him, picked fights over trivial issues and subjected him to mental harassment. He also claimed that her mother and brothers always supported her, and that their interference in his married life had fuelled his resentment towards the entire family.Indushekhar had attempted to conceal the murders by telling relatives that his wife and mother-in-law had gone on a pilgrimage. He reportedly confessed to inviting his in-laws’ families separately for dinner, asking them to prepare the meal and killing them while they were eating. He allegedly believed that disposing of the bodies in a forest would ensure that nobody discovered the murders.Meanwhile, his daughter has admitted to helping him, claiming that he had promised to transfer her grandmother’s property in her name. She is accused of assisting him in the killings, destruction of evidence and transportation of the bodies.Investigators have also learnt that the daughter brought floor cleaners to remove bloodstains after the murders.“Indushekhar’s custody will end in a couple of days. By then, we will complete the crime reconstruction and mahazar. If required, we will seek an extension of his police custody,” the officer said.
