HYDERABAD: Railway police ruled out foul play in the death of AK Rao, father of singer Harini Rao, in Bengaluru a few days ago. Also, forensic experts reportedly concluded that the injures on his body were self-inflicted.
Rao’s body was found on the railway track between Yelahanka and Rajanukunte stations on the outskirts of Bengaluru on November 23. Government Railway Police (GRP), Bengaluru, said Rao had sustained self-inflicted injuries before he suffered a fatal blow to his head due to a train hit. “There is no foul play in Rao’s death,” GRP Bengaluru deputy superintendent of police D Ashok told STOI over the phone. The singer’s family had earlier raised doubts over his death.
When asked about the presence of a knife, blade and a pair of scissors near his body, Ashok said that after forensic experts visited the spot, prima facie, it was concluded that Rao suffered self-inflicted injuries.
“But his death took place after his head was hit by the cow catcher of a train. Investigation is still being done to come to a final conclusion on aspects like what could have led to the suicide,” Ashok added.
Rao’s other daughter Shalini had lodged a complaint with police, suspecting her father might have been murdered elsewhere before his body was dumped on the railway track. Police said they have clues from where Rao had got the knife and other tools.
On November 23, after a body was found on the track, railway authorities informed GRP, which established it was the body of Rao, a Hyderabad-based project consultant. On November 22, he had appeared before Suddaguntepalya police in Bengaluru in connection with a cheating case in which he was called for questioning. The case was related to arranging finance for two businessmen.
Rao’s family resides in Srinagar Colony in the city. When STOI tried to reach out to Shalini, she was unavailable. Rao stayed at the residence of his daughter till November 13, but later moved into a hotel. She last spoke to him over the phone on November 19.
