Ice Cream Spilled, Rage Triggered: Live-in Partner Confesses To Killing Six-Year-Old Girl

Nearly three months after six-year-old P Vennela was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Bengaluru, Kadugodi police say they have made a breakthrough in the case after the prime accused allegedly confessed to fatally assaulting the child during a car ride on March 24. G N Mohan, the live-in partner of Vennela's mother Priyanka P, reportedly told investigators that he struck the girl in the abdomen and covered her mouth to stop her from crying after she spilled ice cream inside the vehicle. Police say the combination of internal injuries and smothering led to the child's death.

The shocking confession has transformed what was initially believed to be a natural death into a homicide investigation involving allegations of violence, deception and a possible cover-up. While Mohan has been arrested and remains in police custody, Priyanka, a lawyer by profession and Vennela's mother, was earlier absconding until her arrest from Sakleshpur homestay. A court later remanded her to five days of police custody for further interrogation.

Priyanka's arrest followed the tracking of Chiranth, a civil engineer and close associate of prime accused Mohan G N (40). Police said he helped her escape from Bengaluru after Mohan's arrest and travelled with her by bus to Mysuru first and then Sakleshpur in Hassan district. He later arranged her stay at a homestay owned by one of his acquaintances, reportedly choosing the location for its isolation and low visibility.

Acting on this lead, a five-member police team reached the homestay and found Priyanka asleep in a room. She was taken by surprise on seeing the officers and broke down, repeatedly claiming innocence, a senior officer said.

What Did Mohan Tell Police?

During interrogation, the accused told investigators that the incident occurred on the night of March 24, when he, Priyanka, and Vennela were returning from Hoskote after celebrating the child's birthday with biryani and ice cream. Mohan allegedly said the child accidentally spilled her ice cream inside their SUV and began crying for another cone.

"Vennela spilled her ice cream all over the seat and on the foot mat. She was crying for a different cone. In a fit of rage, I hit her on the stomach with my elbow and tightly-shut her mouth when she started crying loudly," he reportedly told investigators.

Police say the confession matches forensic evidence gathered during the investigation.

Forensic Findings Back Confession

A histopathology report examined during the probe revealed significant internal injuries in the child's abdomen. Investigators believe the injuries were consistent with blunt-force trauma.

According to police, the combination of abdominal injuries and smothering appears to have caused the six-year-old's death.

The MUV involved in this case has been sent for advanced forensic examination as investigators attempt to reconstruct the final moments leading up to the child's death.

How The Case Unravelled

For more than two months, Vennela's death remained shrouded in mystery.

According to the version initially presented by Priyanka, the child had fallen asleep after the birthday outing. She later claimed that Vennela was carried home and put to bed before being found unresponsive the next morning.

The child was rushed to Vydehi Hospital in Whitefield, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

However, Vennela's father Praveen Basappa, an educationist from Davanagere and owner of Cloud9 International School, insisted on a postmortem examination.

The autopsy report received on April 4 reportedly pointed to inconsistencies. When the report were shared to Praveen's sister, a paediatrician based in England, she suspected foul play and urged further investigation.

Praveen subsequently approached the Kadugodi police and filed a complaint accusing Mohan and Priyanka of murdering the child and attempting to pass off the death as natural.

Based on the complaint and forensic evidence, police registered a murder case on June 4 and launched a full-scale homicide investigation.

The Relationship Trail Behind The Case

The investigation also brought attention to the complicated personal relationships surrounding the case.

Praveen and Priyanka were married in 2007 and had two daughters. According to the complaint Praveen, their marriage began deteriorating after Priyanka started travelling to Bengaluru to deal with a legal dispute involving ancestral property.

During this period, she reportedly reconnected with Mohan, a former college friend and past ex-lover.

Police records indicate that Mohan, a realtor, was himself married and had two children. Investigators say he left his family before moving in with Priyanka at a luxury villa in Seegehalli in east Bengaluru.

According to allegations made in the complaint, Priyanka and Mohan had grown increasingly close and were attempting to build a new life together. The couple's elder daughter remained with Praveen in Davanagere, while Vennela stayed with Priyanka and Mohan in Bengaluru.

While police have not officially announced a motive, the father's complaint alleges that Vennela was viewed as an 'obstacle' to the future Priyanka and Mohan wanted to create together.

Investigators are examining whether the child's presence had become a source of tension in the relationship and whether the fatal assault was the result of a sudden outburst of rage or part of a broader pattern of neglect and resentment.

The probe has also focused on the actions taken after Vennela's death. Police are investigating allegations that the accused attempted to portray the death as a natural medical event despite evidence of physical injuries.

For investigators, the alleged cover-up is as important as the assault itself. The case remained hidden for weeks until forensic findings and persistent efforts by the child's father led to a fresh examination of the circumstances surrounding her death.

Mother Still Missing

While Mohan has been arrested and placed in police custody, Priyanka remains untraceable.

Police teams are continuing searches to locate her and determine her role in the events leading up to and following Vennela's death.

What began as the unexplained death of a six-year-old girl has now evolved into one of Bengaluru's most disturbing child homicide investigations in recent months, raising troubling questions about violence, family breakdown and the alleged attempt to conceal the truth behind a child's final hours.