Karnataka ex-DGP Om Prakash murdered at home; wife under suspicion

Bengaluru: Former Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) Om Prakash, aged 68, was found dead in a pool of blood at his residence in HSR Layout, Bengaluru. A 1981-batch IPS officer, Prakash served as the state’s 38th DGP in 2015.

Initial findings indicate that the murder may have been committed by a close family member, reported IANS. Police sources revealed that a family dispute likely triggered the incident, with the officer's wife emerging as the prime suspect.

Sources added that it was Om Prakash’s wife who alerted the police about the incident. Senior officers arrived at the scene soon after and launched an investigation. The body was later shifted to St John’s Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Police have recovered a knife from the house that is believed to have been used in the murder. Reports suggest that Om Prakash sustained three stab wounds.
A native of Champaran in Bihar, Prakash held several key roles during his service. These included Commandant General of Home Guards and positions in the Fire and Emergency Services, Civil Rights Enforcement, and other important departments.

He also served with the Karnataka Lokayukta, State Vigilance Commission, and the CID. Additionally, he was appointed Transport Commissioner and was often assigned to manage communal unrest, particularly in Bhatkal, Karwar district.

Prakash also played a pivotal role in investigating two major terror incidents in Bengaluru — the BJP office blast on 17 April, 2013, and the Church Street bombing on 28 December, 2014 — and was instrumental in the arrest of the accused in both cases.