Woman, male friend arrested for smothering husband and four-year-old son

A 25-year-old woman, Kusuma alias Harini, and her alleged male friend, Vinay Kumar, 30, have been arrested in connection with the alleged murders of Harini's husband, Abhinandan, 34, and their four-year-old son, police sources reported. The victims were discovered dead at their residence in Gudde Basavapura, Chikkabanavara, Karnataka.

According to the police, the crime allegedly took place after an argument over the woman's relationship with Kumar on August 15. Police suspect Harini and Kumar conspired to kill Abhinandan and his son by smothering them with a pillow and a spatula. The accused then placed Abhinandan's body over the child to make it appear as though the father had collapsed on the boy, leading to the boy's death.

Harini allegedly reported the deaths as a cardiac arrest, but the police found injuries on Abhinandan's body and inconsistencies in her story. She was eventually arrested, and Kumar was traced to his hometown and arrested as well.