An 18-year-old girl was allegedly murdered a few metres away from the Women Police Station in Puttur, in Dakshina Kannada district, on August 24. The police arrested the alleged assailant Padmaraj.
The police said the victim, Gauri, a resident of Alike, succumbed in a hospital in Puttur.
According to police sources, the assailant, who was an earthmover operator (driver), has been following Gauri for the last few days and pestering the latter to marry him. On Thursday, August 24, the girl dialled her mother and asked her to come over to Puttur bus stand after briefing her about the harassment by Padmaraj. Even before the mother could reach Puttur, the assailant who came in a motorcycle at around 1 p.m., met the girl near the police station. He had a brief chat with the victim before slashing her neck with his knife. Padmaraj then sped away from the spot.
The police took the girl to a hospital, where she succumbed.
Tracking the motorcycle and mobile phone, the police traced the assailant in Bantwal, a police official said.
Condemning the incident, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad Durga Vahini District Convenor Swetha Adyapady said police should make a water tight case in such incidents and ensure conviction of the accused. Police should also ensure such attacks on women do not occur.
Published - August 24, 2023 04:25 pm IST
