Madikeri: Class 10 student murdered by fiancee; police launch manhunt

Madikeri: A Class 10 student who cleared her SSLC examination was brutally murdered by the man she was engaged to get married here last night.

Police have intensified the hunt to nab the accused, Prakash (32).

The deceased U. S. Meena (16) was a Class 10 student of Government High School, Surlabbi, Somwarpet taluk. She secured 314 marks in the SSLC exams, the results of which were announced yesterday (May 9).

The family’s joy however was shortlived as Prakash brutally murdered Meena in front of her parents last night.

Reportedly, officials of the Social Welfare Department got information about the imminent child marriage and visited Meena’s house to counsel the family about the prevailing marriage laws and asked them to wait until Meena turned 18 for the marriage. Her parents agreed to this.

Enraged by this Prakash arrived at Meena’s house in the evening and allegedly assaulted her father and mother. Police said that he then dragged Meena and killed her in front of her parents. He absconded from the spot later.

District Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan visited the spot and assured that the accused will be arrested soon.