A 17-year-old girl was allegedly strangled to death by her father in Kaggundi village of Periyapatna taluk in Karnataka.
The girl, a student of II PUC in a college in Periyapatna and belonging to the Vokkaliga community, was in a relationship with a boy, Manju, from the Dalit community residing in the neighbouring Mellahalli village. However, the girl’s family was strongly opposed to the alliance, and counselled her against having any relationship with the boy, police said. The girl had been sent to the Government Girls’ Home in Mysuru by the Periyapatna police about a month ago after she complained against her parents.
The parents, however, brought her back home after a fortnight ago after giving an undertaking to the Mysuru District Child Welfare Committee (CWC) that they would not harm her and facilitate her education.
After bringing her back home, the family members, including her father Suresh, 45, and mother Baby, tried to convince the girl against having any relationship with the boy.
But, when she tried to contact the boy again, a confrontation ensued between the girl and her father in the early hours of Tuesday, leading to her strangulation around 2.30-3.00 a.m., police said. Her mother, who was present on the occasion, tried to revive her by sprinkling water on her, but to little avail. Later, the parents kept her body on a two-wheeler and rode to the neighbouring Mellahalli village, abandoned the body by the roadside, and returned to their house. Later, Suresh went to Periyapatna police station and surrendered before the police. The police arrested Suresh and his wife Baby and is continuing the investigation.
Meanwhile, sources in Mysuru District Child Welfare Committee said the girl was initially reluctant to go with her parents. But, later she agreed to return home with her parents after they gave her an assurance. The girl was allowed to go home only after the officials conducted a social investigation was submitted a report, the sources added.
