Belthangady: Police Suspect Murdered Girl was Gang-raped
Daijiworld Media Network - Belthangady
Belthangady, Oct 11: The brutal rape and murder of young Sowjanya near Pangala is now suspected to be a gang rape.
The inspection of the crime spot has reportedly given clear indication to the police that at least four to six persons may have attacked Sowjanya.
It is said that Sowjanya had alighted from the bus at Netravati bus stand and was on her way home, when she was dragged into the forest area by her perpetrators. Her hands were tied with her uniform shawl, and her clothes were found to be torn. There was mud on legs, indicating signs of struggle. She was reportedly strangled to death.
This is the second case of murder in Dharmasthala region in less than a month. On September 21 a double murder had taken place wherein Narayana, who was mentally ill, and his sister Yamuna had been battered to death. The police have failed to unearth any clue or make any progress in the case. In another case, in Puttur, a man by name Military Ashraf was caught for the brutal murder of Sowmya Bhat, a student. He escaped from the jail and is yet to be traced.
Earlier Update
Belthangady: 17-year-old Girl Raped, Brutally Killed
Belthangady, Oct 10: In a shocking incident, a 17-year-old girl was found brutally murdered near Pangala in Dharmasthala, on Wednesday October 10.
The deceased has been identified as Sowjanya, daughter of Chandappa Gowda, a PWD contractor and resident of Pangala. Sowjanya was a second year PU student of SDM College, Ujire.
It is learnt that her parents lodged a missing report in Belthangady police station when she did not return home after class on Tuesday October 9 evening. A search operation was launched, but she could not be found.
Sources told Daijiworld that her body was found on Wednesday among the bushes beside the road leading to Pangala. She was wearing her uniform and her bag was found nearby. Police suspect that she has been raped and murdered.
Her hands were fastened with the shawl which she was wearing, and there was mud on her legs showing signs of a struggle. Her clothes were torn and she was reportedly strangled to death.
Also, her gold chain and earrings were left intact, making it clear that robbery was not the intention.
Sowjanya was the second among Chandappa's four daughters and one son. Her elder sister is married.
SP Abhishek Goyal, Puttur inspector Sudarshan and Belthangady SI Yogish Kumar visited the spot.
Belthagady police have registered a case. Investigations are on.