BENGALURU: A Bengaluru software engineer accused of fatally stabbing his parents earlier this year was found to be mentally fit following medical evaluation, with investigators concluding that financial disagreements and family disputes were the primary triggers behind the crime.
The accused, Rohan Chandra, 33, was arrested for allegedly killing his parents, Naveen Chandra Bhat and Shyamala Bhat, at their villa in Bengaluru’s Vignan Nagar area near HAL Township in February.
The brutal attack shocked residents of the neighbourhood and raised questions about Rohan’s mental health after witnesses reported that his mother had previously mentioned he was dealing with anxiety and schizophrenia.
One of the witnesses, Madhavi Nair, helped shift the injured couple to a nearby hospital following the attack. However, both victims were declared dead on arrival.
During the initial investigation, police referred Rohan to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences for psychiatric evaluation. After observing and treating him for a week, doctors reportedly concluded that he was mentally fit and showed no signs of schizophrenia, severe anxiety, or other conditions that would prevent interrogation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Saidulu Adavath said the medical clearance allowed investigators to proceed with detailed questioning and legal proceedings.
According to the police chargesheet, Rohan was upset over two major issues. The first concerned a request for Rs 10 lakh from his parents, which he wanted to invest in an artificial intelligence startup. Having completed a master’s degree in AI in the United States, he allegedly wanted to launch a company focused on AI-based tools and services.
Investigators said his parents refused to provide the funds and instead urged him to secure a regular job.
The second point of conflict involved his mobile phone number. Police claim Rohan wanted to retain his long-used mobile number while switching service providers from Jio to Airtel. According to the chargesheet, his father opposed the move, leading to further tension within the family.
Authorities allege that an argument over these issues escalated on February 11 and culminated in the fatal attack.
The chargesheet, spanning approximately 500 pages, includes statements from around 40 witnesses as well as forensic evidence gathered during the investigation.
Police said forensic laboratory reports confirmed that bloodstains found on Rohan’s clothing matched those of his parents, strengthening the prosecution’s case.
Investigators maintain that the evidence collected—including witness statements, forensic findings and the psychiatric assessment—supports the allegation that Rohan was responsible for the killings and was mentally competent at the time of the investigation. The case is currently before the court.
