Ramanagara, Oct 17 (IANS): In a dramatic turn of events, a case of gang rape turned out be case of honour killing with the arrest of victim's father and her elder brother along with her minor brother on Friday in Magadi.

This case made social media highlights as it coincided with the Hathras rape case. As a result, the Karantaka government even handed over the case Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police (SP), Ravi Channennavar, in the wake of Ramanagara SP S. Girsh testing Covid positive.

According to the police, the deceased identified as Hemalata (19) was a resident of Bettadahalli village in Magadi Taluka of Ramanagara district.

The father and son (left) and Hemalata 

Her father, Krishnappa, filed a missing complaint on October 9, but on October 10 he filed a complaint of gang rape and murder. This had led to an outrage by upper caste and dominant Vokkaliga community on social media to lash out at the lower caste groups.

Acting swiftly, the state government directed neighbouring district Bengaluru SP, Channannevar to take over the case four days ago.

Soon after he took over the case, Magadi police started probing into various angles, including honour killing.

Speaking to IANS, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Magadi taluka, Omprakash said, "It was a challenging case as the family members had destroyed the evidences. She was killed using stone by her elder brother Chetan and her father Krishnappa, who had taken her to their farm to convince her not to shame their family by going out with her boyfriend, Puneet, who allegedly belonged to lower caste."

While the father was convincing the girl, her brother took a stone and hit her on the head and her younger brother (a minor) gave assistance in buring the body in their own farm.

The police have registered a case and are further investigation is on.