Anger over startup funds, US-returned techie kills parents in Bengaluru

The accused, identified as Rohan Chandra Bhat, is alleged to have attacked his father, Naveen Chandra Bhat, 60, a retired Navy captain, and his mother, Shyamala Bhat, 55, a practising dentist. The couple resided in a villa at Adarsh Vista.

Argument over money turns fatal

According to preliminary findings cited in a Times of India report, the incident followed a heated argument over financial support. 

Investigators believe Rohan stabbed both his parents multiple times during the altercation.

Neighbours reported hearing loud noises from the house and rushed to the villa, where they found the couple critically injured. 

They were immediately taken to Manipal Hospitals on Old Airport Road, but doctors declared them brought dead.

Madhavi Nair, a neighbour who works at Manipal Hospitals, lodged a formal complaint with the HAL police, initiating the criminal investigation.

Pressure to fund business plans

A senior police officer revealed that Rohan had previously worked as a software engineer in the United States before returning to Bengaluru approximately three years ago. 

Authorities are still examining details of his employment abroad and the circumstances surrounding his return to India.

After coming back, Rohan reportedly pursued independent projects and harboured ambitions to expand his ventures. 

“Rohan, a bachelor, was doing projects independently and wanted to scale,” a police officer said.

Investigators believe he was struggling to secure funding for his planned ventures and increasingly sought financial assistance from his parents. 

However, the couple reportedly informed him that they were unable to meet his monetary demands.

Police indicated that repeated disagreements over money led to frequent tensions at home. 

“Some time ago, Rohan shifted to a rented accommodation in Varthur,” an officer said. "Despite living separately, he continued visiting the family home."

Authorities said he visited his parents’ residence on Monday night and again demanded financial support.

“The fight escalated by Wednesday morning,” the officer added.

Ongoing probe

Rohan Chandra Bhat has been taken into custody and will be produced before a court. 

Police officials said they have yet to conduct a detailed interrogation.

“We are yet to question him. His sister, who lives in the US and has been informed of the tragedy, will arrive in Bengaluru by Thursday. The bodies were shifted to Bowring Hospital. Autopsy will be conducted after their daughter’s arrival,” police said.

The investigation remains ongoing as officers piece together the sequence of events leading up to the fatal confrontation.