Couple, son from Davanagere found dead in US; police suspect double murder-suicide
New York/Bengaluru, Aug 20: An Indian couple and their six-year-old child have been found dead in the US state of Maryland in a suspected case of double suicide-murder, police said.
The three people, who are originally from Davanagere in Karnataka, were found dead from gunshot wounds in their Baltimore County home on Friday, when police responded to a welfare check around noon, police said on Saturday.
The deceased were identified as Yogesh H Nagarajappa (37), Prathiba Y Amarnath (37) and Yash Honnal (6). Police said they are believed to be husband, wife and son.
"Based on the initial investigation, the incident is believed to be a double murder-suicide that Nagarajappa committed," Baltimore County Police spokesperson Anthony Shelton was quoted as saying by The Baltimore Sun newspaper.
"Each appeared to suffer from an apparent gunshot wound," Shelton added.
ALSO READ: Unmanned DRDO fighter aircraft falls on field in Chitradurga
The family members were reportedly last seen alive on Tuesday evening, police said, adding that an autopsy would be conducted to determine the manner and cause of death.
"I am heartbroken and deeply saddened for the innocent victims whose lives were cut short by this horrific act. We will do everything possible to assist family and community members following this tragic incident," a statement by Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski read.
Police said that there was no threat to the surrounding communities.
The family was from Hallekallu village in Jagalur Taluk of Davangere district, and had been living in Baltimore, Maryland, USA for the past nine years.
Yogesh's mother Shobha said it's been nine years since her son got married. Soon after the marriage, the couple went to the USA and had been staying there since then.
"Police called my second son who stays in America over the phone and told him about the incident. He informed us about the incident but did not disclose the reason," Shobha said. "We don't know what happened and when this happened. We only got to know that the deaths have happened. We are not getting any information how it happened whether they did it or someone else did it."
She appealed to the Centre and the State government to bring the bodies back to India.
"It's been three days since the incident happened. We have not seen the body," Yogesh's mother said. "Help us get the bodies. We have not seen the photos either."
Shobha added that a few days ago Yogesh had called her and said they were all doing well. He did not mention any problem that he might have been facing, she said, adding that she didn't notice anything amiss.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Shivakumar blames Centre for maize growers' problems in Karnataka
Bengaluru/Belagavi (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday blamed the Centre for the maize growers' problems in the state.
Speaking to reporters on the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha premises in Bengaluru ahead of the Legislative session in Belagavi, he also took a dig at the BJP MPs for keeping mum on the issue.
"The Centre has to answer to the problems of North Karnataka. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and I have taken some strong decisions pertaining to maize procurement which will burden the state government financially, but the Centre has not spoken a word on the issue and the BJP MPs have not raised their voice. Aren't they concerned about it," Shivakumar asked.
The Deputy CM also hit out at the Haveri MP and former CM Basavaraj Bommai for not speaking on the matter.
"Bommai has said that the state government has to buy it, but what's Centre's share? Who decides the Minimum Support Price (MSP)? It's they (Centre) who decide MSP. They have not taken any decision yet," Shivakumar alleged.
He added that the state government will give compensation to the farmers, but the Centre is also responsible.
"Why hasn't Bommai raised the issue in parliament? Why he did not meet the PM and agriculture minister," he asked.
The maize growers have been demanding procurement at Rs 3,000 per quintal.
The current MSP is Rs 2,400 per quintal, and farmers are seeking a Rs 600 bonus. Ahead of the session, the state government announced increasing maize procurement from 20 quintals per farmer to 50 quintals at Rs 2,400 per quintal.
On irrigation related issues, Shivakumar said no one has done as much work as the Congress government has done in the history of the irrigation department of Karnataka.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, charged that the government has become so poor that it is not able to replace the crust gates of the Tungabhadra dam.
"While farmers are committing suicide, the government is in a jolly mood arranging breakfast meetings," Ashoka said while interacting with reporters in Belagavi.
BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said there is a need for discussion on the burning issues of the state during the winter session of the Karnataka Legislature.
"Farmers are in distress due to the bad policies of the state government. It also failed to fulfill its promise to create jobs for unemployed youths.Weavers are also facing challenges," the Shikaripura MLA told reporters in Belagavi.
_vb_70.jpeg)
