Dharwad: Anesthesiologist found stabbed to death, 8-year-old son injured; wife detained for questioning
Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar said early findings indicate that no outsider is suspected to have entered the residence, given that it is located within a well-secured housing complex
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On Wednesday, July 15, a 45-year-old anesthesiologist was killed inside his residence in Dharwad, Karnataka, while his eight-year-old son sustained stab wounds in the same incident. The deceased has been identified as Dr Kiran Honannavar, who worked as an anesthesiologist at Chirayu Hospital. His wife, Dr Priyanka, an ophthalmologist by profession, has been taken in by police for questioning. The couple's son is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital.
Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar said early findings indicate that no outsider is suspected to have entered the residence, given that it is located within a well-secured housing complex. As per the police, only the husband, wife, and their child were present in the home when the incident occurred.
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The matter came to light after Dr Kiran's relatives, unable to reach him despite several attempts, grew concerned. His wife had reportedly told them at different points that he was resting and later that he had stepped out. When he continued to remain unreachable through the day, family members went to check on him and discovered him lying in a pool of blood, along with the injured child elsewhere in the house.
Anesthesiologist Dr. Kiran Honannavar was found murdered inside his apartment in Dharwad, with his 8 year old son lying beside him. Most first responders didn't check or realise the boy lying in a pool of blood was still alive. Police commissioner Shashi Kumar who noticed helped… pic.twitter.com/WZRmsdUl0s
— Deepak Bopanna (@dpkBopanna) July 16, 2026
Police said the boy was still alive when authorities reached the scene and was rushed to the hospital immediately. As per the investigators, the husband's body was discovered in one room, while the child was found injured in a separate room. The precise sequence of events is yet to be pieced together.
The commissioner noted that the wife appears to be in shock and has given statements that are inconsistent and unusual, adding that police are cross-checking her account and speaking with both families to establish a possible motive. Officials said there were no signs of any dispute with neighbours, and CCTV footage from the residential complex will be reviewed as part of the probe.
Karnataka Horror!
— Treeni (@treeni) July 16, 2026
Anaesthesiologist Dr. Kiran Honannavar stapped to dæth, while his 8-year-old mentally challenged son was found critically injured at their apartment in Dharwad.
Investigators said only Dr Kiran, his wife Dr Priyanka Gaddanahalli and their son, were present in… pic.twitter.com/HKW9RXb0iy
A case has been registered at the Suburban Police Station. Authorities said greater clarity on the cause and circumstances of the death is expected once the post-mortem report comes in and the investigation progresses further.
Although relatives have pointed fingers at Dr Priyanka as being behind the killing, police have stopped short of confirming her role, maintaining that the investigation is still underway. Officials indicated that the incident seems to be linked to a domestic dispute, though the exact motive remains unconfirmed.
Reports concerning the child's alleged mental health condition have not been officially verified by police, and this aspect, too, remains under investigation.