Akshata was killed for resisting rape: Cops arrest 19-year-old killer, associate

Udupi, Jun 20: In a major breakthrough in Akshata Devadiga murder case, the Udupi district police have arrested two teenagers including the alleged murderer after questioning several persons in the area.

The arrested have been identified as Sunil and Akshay, both 19-year-old and residents of Yojana Nagar near Byndoor. They both are cousins and closes friends. On the day of crime, the duo had gone to Byndoor ITI to seek admissions. Local sources said that Sunil had recently been beaten in Byndoor for eve-teasing.

Akshata Devadiga (17), daughter of Babu Devadiga and Radha Devadiga couple from Henberu village was found dead under suspicious circumstances on June 17 near a temple at Ottinene near Byndoor. Now, it is believed that the II PU science student was murdered for resisting rape.

Amrit Paul, Inspector General of Police (Western Range) told media persons here on Saturday that the Udupi district police led by K Annamalai, Superintendent of Police, managed to crack the case within two days and arrested two accused.

Mr Paul said that the girl died after confronting Sunil, who tried to sexually assault her. Even though Akshay did not involve in the murder, he tired to protect Sunil and misguided police, he said.

“Akshata used to go to college every day by walk. She had to pass through a plantation. Sunil had watched Akshata walking alone many a times and on June 17, when she was returning home from college, he followed her,” the IGP said.

IGP said that the girl initially managed to escape from Sunil and started running. Sunil chased her and pulled her uniform veil around her neck. When the girl continued to confront, he further tightened the veil and dragged her to an isolated spot in the forest area with the intention of raping her. However, she breathed her last on the spot.

The post-mortem report has reportedly confirmed that the girl was strangled to death. However, it did not indicate any sexual assault.

Meanwhile state Om Prakash, the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP), Karnataka, has announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh to the police team led by Udupi SP for cracking the case.

It may be recalled here that a day after Akshata’s death hundreds of students of her college and local residents had staged a massive protest in Byndoor to exert pressure on the police to nab the culprits immediately. They had also issued a deadline to police.

On Friday Kimmane Ratnakar, Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education, visited the house of the minor at Henberu village and consoled her parents.

Also Read:

17-year-old college girl found dead near temple in Udupi

Protest erupts in Byndoor over Akshata’s death, IGP visits spot

Sunil in police custody