Bengaluru Murder Accused Seeks to Confess, Court Cites Legal Procedure
A 25-year-old Bengaluru woman, Shwetha Somasundar, who is accused of murdering her parents and younger sister, informed a magistrate's court on Thursday that she wished to voluntarily confess to the crime. However, the court stated that any judicial confession must be recorded before a different magistrate under legal provisions.
Shwetha and her live-in partner, Kenneth, 25, are arrested for the alleged murder of Shwetha's parents, Muthulakshmi S and Somasundar, and her sister, Supriya, at an apartment in K R Puram where the couple lived.
Shwetha, employed in the tech sector, was produced before the court at the end of her police custody. She moved an application to confess, stating she was aware of the legal consequences and wished to proceed. She claimed she had already confessed to the police and wanted to reiterate her statements in court.
The magistrate's court took the application on record but directed that it be forwarded through the investigating officer, as per Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The court explained that the confession cannot be made before the trial court and must be recorded by another magistrate. Shwetha was remanded to judicial custody for 15 days.
Kenneth was not produced as his police custody was extended on July 3 for scientific tests, including brain mapping.
According to sources familiar with the case, Shwetha expressed resentment towards her mother, whom she described as 'controlling.' The resentment allegedly grew after her mother questioned bank loans totalling about Rs 30 lakh, which investigators believe were used to support Kenneth's lifestyle.
Police allege that Shwetha and Kenneth killed Muthulakshmi in a premeditated plot after inviting her to stay at their flat. They reportedly killed Somasundar and Supriya when they came searching for Muthulakshmi.
Key evidence includes the dying declaration of Somasundar, who was found with multiple stab wounds on a staircase of the Sai Green apartment complex on June 22. Before dying, he told police that he was stabbed by Shwetha and Kenneth and that his wife and younger daughter were still in the apartment.
Investigators have found evidence that Kenneth used internet search engines and AI tools to research methods of murder. The Bengaluru police have contacted Google and other service providers for search history records. Authorities are also attempting to retrieve emails between the accused.
Investigators have uncovered evidence suggesting the initial plan was to kill only the mother. The case continues to be investigated.
