The Dharwad doctor murder case involves the death of Dr Kiran Honannavar and the stabbing of his eight-year-old son inside their apartment. Police are questioning his wife, examining phone activity, family calls and forensic evidence to establish the motive and timeline.
Doctor Found Dead Inside Dharwad Apartment
A 45-year-old anaesthetist, Dr Kiran Honannavar, was found dead inside his family’s sixth-floor apartment in Dharwad, Karnataka, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Police said he was lying in a pool of blood when relatives and officers entered the home.
Dr Honannavar worked at Chirayu Hospital and lived with his wife, Priyanka Kattanahalli, and their eight-year-old son. Priyanka, an MBBS graduate with an MS in Ophthalmology, is being investigated in connection with the case. Police have not yet confirmed the motive or the exact sequence of events.
Eight-Year-Old Son Stabbed and Hospitalised
The couple’s son was also found with stab injuries inside the apartment. Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar said the child was still breathing when officers reached the scene and was immediately shifted to a private hospital for treatment.
Investigators are trying to establish when the boy was attacked and whether his injuries occurred during the same sequence of events that led to his father’s death. Preliminary findings indicate that only the husband, wife and child were inside the apartment, with no immediate sign of an outsider entering the home.
Police Examine Wife’s Phone Activity and Statements
A video from the scene reportedly showed Priyanka lying on a bed and using her phone while her husband and injured son were nearby. Police are examining the footage, her phone activity and her actions before and after the incident.
Relatives and friends reportedly called Dr Honannavar on Tuesday night and again on Wednesday morning. According to police, Priyanka answered some calls and first said he was resting before later claiming that he had gone out for duty. Concerned family members visited the apartment on Wednesday evening after being unable to speak directly with him and alerted police after discovering the scene.
Murder Case Registered, Motive Under Investigation
Police have registered a murder case and are reviewing phone records, messages, call details and statements from relatives, neighbours and hospital colleagues. Forensic teams are examining the apartment to identify the weapon, establish the time of death and reconstruct the timeline of the child’s injuries.
Commissioner Shashikumar said investigators would determine what happened inside the apartment, whom Priyanka contacted and what she told family members and neighbours. Any further legal action will depend on the forensic evidence, medical reports and witness statements. Authorities have not announced a final conclusion, and the investigation remains underway.
