1 Held In Student’s Suspected Murder as Protests Rock Raichur

The body of the 23-year-old female engineering student – missing since 13 April – was found hanging from a tree.

(Photo: ANI)

The Raichur police have arrested one person in connection with the death of a 23-year-old female engineering student who had been missing since 13 April. Her body was found on 16 April, leading to protests by the student community outside the Navodaya Institute of Technology on Friday, 18 April, reported ANI.

According to a report by The News Minute (TNM), the student’s body was found hanging from a tree. The young woman is said to have attended college on 13 April but never made it home.

The parents have reportedly alleged that the police delayed filing a missing person’s case as the student was not a minor. On 15 April, the parents received a call stating that their daughter’s Aadhaar card was found next to a body with a suicide note, stating that her poor grades were the reason, TNM has reported.

“It is very clear that the note was false. She cleared her exams and was happy when the results of the re-evaluation were released on the night of 12 April. This is a case of murder and we will not stop protesting until the police conduct a thorough and unbiased enquiry.”

Fellow student to TNM

A large number of students organised a candle-light march on Wednesday, 17 April. The students threatened to block people from voting in at least one polling booth on 23 April, reported TNM.

On Thursday night, 18 April, cops arrested a 25-year-old man named Sudarshan Yadav in connection with the case. According to the police, the property on which the girl's body was found belonged to Sudarshan's father, reported TNM.

According to the cops, the student’s clothes were torn in a few places but the reason behind it was unclear. Police reportedly told TNM that one of her hands was dismembered. "We believe dogs may have dismembered it but we will know conclusively only after the autopsy report comes in," the police said.

While the cops and students believe that Sudarshan and the student were in a relationship, the parents said that their daughter was being harassed by the accused.

According to ANI, Raichur SP Kishore Babu has said that a case of suspicious death has been filed.

CM Calls for Impartial Investigation

Commenting on the issue, CM HD Kumaraswamy expressed grief over the suspicious death.

“The suspicious death of an engineering student in Raichur has caused me a lot of pain. One person has been held by the Raichur SP and investigation is ongoing. I have asked him to conduct an impartial investigation and take action against the guilty. To her parents, let God give them the power to bear this pain. Such inhuman acts on girls are condemnable,” he tweeted.

Petition Seeking Justice for Student Goes Viral

An online petition, started a day ago, has gone viral on social media, garnering over 1,50,000 signatures since.

“It clearly can be seen as murder, but the corrupt leaders and police in greed of money, are trying to close this case as suicide, I request every one of you to please sign this petition and help me reach out the possible authorities to impact a clear investigation on this case and punish the found guilty,” reads an excerpt.

(With inputs from The News Minute)