Custody dispute emerges in probe into Bengaluru hotel killing of two girls

Bengaluru Police are probing the alleged killing of two minor sisters inside a five-star hotel by their father, S G Imran, who later attempted suicide. Investigators are examining a custody dispute, marital discord, a purported note and hotel CCTV footage

Bengaluru: The probe into the killing of two minor girls allegedly by their father inside a five-star hotel here has revealed that he was involved in a custody dispute with his wife, police said on Tuesday. Shaik Zehara (5) and Shaik Zoya (10) were allegedly strangled by their father, S G Imran, who later attempted suicide, they said. The incident occurred on Monday evening, police said.

According to police, Imran had wanted custody of both his daughters, but his family members did not agree to it. A note recovered from the hotel room, purportedly written by him, mentioned the dispute over the children’s custody as well as a marital dispute with his wife.

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The note also contained allegations that Imran suspected his wife of having an illicit relationship and claimed to have evidence of it. The allegations are being verified as part of the investigation.

Imran, a resident of Nagavara in north Bengaluru, had checked into the hotel with his daughters on Sunday at around 5 pm, a senior police officer said.

On Monday around 4 pm, hotel cleaning staff went to the room but received no response. Security personnel were alerted and the door was opened. The two girls were found lying on the bed, while Imran was found in the bathroom.

Hotel staff immediately rushed Imran to a nearby hospital, where he is currently out of danger, police said. A police team was sent to the hotel after its security manager alerted them about the suspected deaths of the two children.

As part of investigation, police have also spoken to Imran’s wife, who confirmed that there had been disputes and arguments between the couple, including over the custody of their children, he said.

“We are verifying the allegations and have taken up the case. We are investigating the circumstances that led to the killings. His statement will be recorded once doctors declare him fit,” the officer said.

Police have sought CCTV footage from the hotel to establish the sequence of events. The postmortem examinations of the two girls have been completed, and further action will be taken after the autopsy reports are received, police said.