Udupi: Suicide of Emerging National Athlete - Youth Arrested
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Sep 29: Police on Wednesday September 28 arrested a youth in connection to the suicide case of emerging national-level athlete, Prathvi Ampar, at Brahmavar on Tuesday September 27. He is expected to be produced in court on Thursday.
The man had been taken into custody by police for questioning on Tuesday itself, based on a complaint made by Shankar Poojary, uncle of Prathvi. The police said that the youth confessed sending messages to Prathvi and called her over the mobile several times, and that he had been pestering her since some time, as he felt that she had not been in love with him of late, and ignoring him.
The youth, identified as Misbal, reportedly had failed in the degree examination and used to work as broker for cars and motor bikes. Prathvi got to know him as he used to visit the ground to play cricket when she practised there. While she ruled out any relationship other than friendship, and kept a distance from him since some time, he continued efforts to contact her, it is gathered.
In this connection, the police are likely to interrogate several students, warden of the hostel, trainers of Prathvi, and principal of the college. The post mortem report has confirmed that Prathvi died because of hanging, and that there were no evidences of any physical exploitation.
A delegation of students who met the police circle inspector, Krishnamurthy, on Wednesday, were promised that the culprits would be brought to book within a week. The delegation comprised representatives of Brahmavar SMS PU College Students Association, SMS College Students Association, and All College Students Association.
In a press conference organized at Kundapur, Billava Samaja Seva Sangh vice-president, Mani Gopal, urged the police to bring to the fore the culprits behind the suicide of Prathvi. He said there have been suspicions about the roles played by certain individuals in Prathvi’s life, leading to her decision to end life. He warned that activists will take to street all over the twin-districts if justice is not done in the case.
The cremation of the ill-fated athlete was conducted near her native place, Ampar, in Kundapur taluk, on Wednesday afternoon. Shops and other establishments in the village had downed their shutters as a mark of respect for Prathvi. A protest meeting is being organized at 4 pm on Thursday September 29 near Brahmavar bus stand under the aegis of BJP and Hindu organizations.