Couple clubbed to death in Bangalore

A couple were clubbed to death while they were asleep in their restaurant on Cottonpet main road near the City railway station early on Wednesday.

The assailant also attacked their five-year-old daughter  Priya fearing she would reveal the crime to the police.

Police suspect Karthik, a worker at the restaurant, to be behind the murder but the motive is not clear. Sources said Priya made a statement before the police that Karthik killed her parents.

Police said Karthik, a native of Assam, has been missing since the incident.

The victims have been identified as Pawan Kumar Sharma, 40, and his wife Babita Devi, 35. Priya, who sustained head injuries has been admitted to a hospital and her condition is said to be stable. According to the police, the couple, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh, had come to the city three years ago and were living in the Mahalakshmi Restaurant, which they were running.

“The incident came to light when one Rakesh came to the restaurant for breakfast around 7.45 am. As milk sachets were lying outside and the shutter partially open, Rakesh pulled the shutter up and noticed the couple lying dead in a pool of blood, while the child was battling for life. He informed Ishu Kumar Rai, an ATM guard, who informed us,” police said.

Police rushed to the spot and shifted Priya to a hospital. “It appears that the killer did not intend to kill Priya. He probably hit her after she woke up hearing screams,” police suspect.