19-year-old kills grandmother for money, distressed family attempts suicide

Bangalore: A 19-year-old girl was arrested by Bangalore city police for allegedly killing her grandmother for money. Distraught at the incident, her parents and sister attempted to commit suicide by consuming poison at a lodge in Shimoga town on Thursday June 5. The accused has been identified as Harshitha, a resident of Binni Layout near JJ Nagar in Bangalore. Police arrested Harshitha on Wednesday June 4 for allegedly murdering her 75-year-old grandmother Ramarathnamma last month. Police sources reveal that Harshitha had wanted money to throw a party for her friends. She also begrudged her grandmother on her refusal to buy her a two-wheeler. As per the allegation on May 10 Harshitha was alone at home with Ramarathnamma who had come from Mysore to stay with the family for a week, when the teenage girl it her with a chapathi rolling pin and took her jewels, which she pledged for Rs 1.2 lakh. The teenager reportedly spent Rs 50,000 partying with her friends at Mantri Mall later that day. The murder came to light when her parents returned home to find the senior citizen dead. The JJ Nagar police started an interrogation, Harshitha acted innocent initially but confessed to police later, she was arrested and produced before the court; she has been kept in judicial custody for further investigation. Unable to come to terms with their daughter’s crime, Harshitha’s parents went to Shimoga the next day and rented a room at Athithi Comforts Lodge with the intention of committing suicide, police said. Shekar (45), his wife Lakshmi (36) and their daughter Varsha (18) allegedly consumed poison with their food at around noon. Luckily, hotel staff who saw them vomit took them to a nearby hospital, PO Shiva Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Shimoga sub-division) said. Police said Harshitha had recently started working in a private firm and was earning Rs 9,000 a month, which did not commensurate with her lifestyle.   Source: NewsKarnataka