Bengaluru Triple Murder: Second Suspect Kenneth Arrested in Puducherry; Police Urge Media to Avoid Rumours During Probe
Bengaluru, June 26: Bengaluru City Police have arrested Kenneth, the second suspect in the sensational triple murder case reported under the K.R. Puram Police Station limits, with Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh urging the media and the public to avoid spreading rumours that could hamper the ongoing investigation.
Briefing reporters, Commissioner Singh said the investigation is being led by the Joint Commissioner of Police (East) and the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Whitefield Division. Initially, six special teams were formed to trace the accused, which were later expanded to ten teams.
Police had earlier arrested Shwetha, another accused in the case. Kenneth, who allegedly went absconding after the murders, was arrested in Puducherry following a coordinated operation by Bengaluru Police and the Puducherry Police.
According to the Commissioner, tracing Kenneth proved challenging as he was allegedly not using a mobile phone and had avoided contact with others.
“Our teams worked on technical evidence, intelligence inputs and field investigation. The assistance provided by the Puducherry Police was invaluable. We will formally acknowledge their support by sending them a letter of appreciation,” Singh said.
Commissioner Urges Responsible Reporting
The Police Commissioner stressed that the investigation is still at an early stage and that both accused have been changing their statements during interrogation.
“We will verify every version with material and circumstantial evidence before arriving at any conclusion,” he said.
Appealing to the media and the public, Singh urged everyone to refrain from circulating speculative stories or unverified information.
“This is a very sensitive case. Information officially released by the police should alone be treated as authentic. Rumours and speculative reporting are not only inappropriate but can also affect the investigation,” he said.
When asked about the motive behind the murders and whether the crime was pre-planned, the Commissioner declined to comment, stating that it remains an important aspect of the ongoing investigation.
“We are still collecting evidence. Once the investigation progresses further, we will share the details,” he added.
Kenneth Traced Across Multiple States
Police said Kenneth travelled through several locations, including Peruchi, Velankanni, Chennai and Coimbatore, before finally reaching Puducherry.
Investigators reconstructed his travel route and alerted the Puducherry Police, who joined the search operation.
According to police, Kenneth was eventually traced to a liquor outlet in Puducherry. Acting on local intelligence, officers moved in to apprehend him. Police said Kenneth allegedly attempted to flee after noticing the officers but was chased and apprehended by Assistant Sub-Inspector Ramalingam of the Puducherry Police.
Police allege that Kenneth was in a relationship with Shwetha and that the two were involved in the murders of her parents and sister.
The Commissioner said the investigation is continuing and that further recoveries or arrests, if required, will depend on the evidence gathered during interrogation.
Police reiterated that details regarding the motive and sequence of events will be disclosed only after the investigation reaches an appropriate stage.