Accused Son Attends Parents' Final Rites Under Police Escort in Bengaluru
In a somber and tightly secured ceremony in Bengaluru, Rohan Chandra Bhat, the prime accused in the alleged murder of his parents, was escorted by police to attend their final rites on Saturday evening. The event unfolded at the Wilson Garden crematorium, where the bodies of Captain Naveen Chandra Bhat and Dr. Shyamala Bhat were brought around 5 PM for traditional Hindu rituals.
Court-Approved Visit from Nimhans
Acting on permission granted by a special court earlier that day, police transported Rohan from Nimhans, where he has been undergoing medical treatment, to the crematorium. The escorted visit was coordinated to allow him to perform essential family traditions and see his parents one last time. His sister, Rashmi Bhat, 31, who had flown in from the United States, joined close relatives for the emotionally charged proceedings.
A Scene of Grief and Disbelief
As friends and family gathered to bid farewell to the couple, the atmosphere was heavy with grief and disbelief, with many struggling to comprehend the tragic circumstances. Inside the crematorium hall, silence prevailed as the bodies were placed side by side. Rashmi stepped forward to perform the rituals, maintaining composure despite visible anguish.
Under tight security, a handcuffed Rohan was brought in briefly. He displayed no visible emotion—no tears or signs of distress—and appeared detached throughout. Following a priest's instructions, he performed the arathi with a police officer standing beside him and offered prayers. Observers noted that Rohan spent less than five minutes inside before being led away without looking back.
Family Dynamics and Background
Rashmi stood at a distance, watching her brother perform the rituals. A family member revealed that Rohan and Rashmi were rarely seen at extended family gatherings. Those present remembered the couple as quiet, dignified individuals who largely kept to themselves and lived without drawing attention. Amid hushed conversations, one question echoed repeatedly among relatives and friends: why did this happen?
In her statement to investigators, Rashmi disclosed that her brother had been undergoing treatment for schizophrenia. "My parents, particularly my mother, tried their best to get him treated. Because of his mood swings and unusual behaviour, I stopped speaking to him two years ago. But I never imagined he would go to this extent," she reportedly told police.
Legal and Academic Context
After arriving from the US, Rashmi approached a Bengaluru court seeking permission for her brother to perform the last rites. Following approval granted Saturday morning, police coordinated his escorted visit. She also outlined his academic background:
- He completed his pre-university course in Science at Jain College.
- He joined New Horizon College of Engineering in Marathahalli.
- In 2019, he moved to the United States, where he completed a master's degree in Advanced Applied Artificial Intelligence Technology.
- He returned to India in 2022.
The case continues to unfold as authorities investigate the alleged murders, with the cremation marking a poignant chapter in this tragic family saga.
