News of their son Pavan Kumar’s death was broken to P. Anjaiah and his wife Gangarathnamma on June 20. Since then, all their energies have been focussed on bringing his body back for the last rites from the United States where he was found dead on June 19.
A software engineer working for Cognizant Technology Solutions in Delaware, Pavan (26) was found dead at a motel, a few hundred kilometres away in New Jersey.
In the hours leading to his death, police officials in Delaware had launched a manhunt for Pavan (26) in connection with the death of Danielle Mehlman, who was found brutally murdered in a Delaware motel. The Washington Post reported that local police had a warrant charging Pavan with first-degree murder before he was found dead.
Back home here, the parents, both in their 60s, allege that neither Cognizant nor the Ministry of External Affairs is sharing any information with them.
Breaking their silence for the first time since they heard about their son’s death, the couple approached sections of the media on Tuesday in the hope that widespread reportage of their crisis will lead to a solution. They told journalists that they had not been able to speak to anybody despite repeated calls to the Ministry of External Affairs and Cognizant. “After we were informed of the death, we have not heard anything from the company,” claimed Mr. Anjaiah, a retired Class 4 government employee. Pavan’s sister Gunasheela said her brother was romantically involved with Danielle.
In a press release, Cognizant said: “On learning about Pawan Kumar’s death, our HR officials contacted his family and informed them. [They] also met the family thereafter at our office and had a detailed conversation with them. We fully understand the loss and respect the emotional state of the bereaved family, and will provide help within the legal framework surrounding the incident. We are working with the authorities in the U.S. to see what assistance we can provide, including return of the body. We cannot comment further as the case is being investigated by the U.S. authorities.”
An engineering graduate from Sapthagiri College, Bangalore, Pavan had put in five years with Cognizant. He was sent to the U.S. in February 2011. Hailing from Pavagadh village in Kolar district, he was sole breadwinner of the family.
His family told reporters he had struggled to become a software engineer and had always been a topper in class.
A senior police official in Bangalore, who is familiar with U.S. law enforcement, said it was unlikely the body would be sent back home until the homicide investigation was complete.
“They are sure to conduct a detailed autopsy to ascertain not only the reason for his death but also the death of the woman he allegedly killed,” said the officer.
