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

executive@coastaldigest.com (CD Network)
June 20, 2015

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.

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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

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Sunil in police custody

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News Network
February 14,2025

Mysuru/Hassan: A wave of sorrow engulfed two families in Karnataka as separate elephant attacks claimed the lives of a young man and an elderly woman on Thursday.

In a heartbreaking incident in Gadde Halla, under the N Begur range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Sargur taluk, Mysuru district, 23-year-old Avinash, a BSc graduate and son of Huchchanayaka, lost his life in an elephant attack at around 6:30 am.

Avinash had gone to his farmland to water the crops when he encountered a herd of three elephants. Tragically, one of them charged at him, leaving him with no chance to escape, according to forest officials.

BTR Conservator of Forests S Prabhakaran and N Begur RFO Manjunath rushed to the scene. Following an autopsy conducted on-site, the body was handed over to the grieving family. In a gesture of support, Prabhakaran presented a compensation cheque of Rs 15 lakh to Avinash’s relatives.

Villagers expressed deep frustration over the recurring human-animal conflict in the region. They lamented that the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) provides electricity only in the early morning hours, making it difficult for farmers to work safely. They urged authorities to ensure power supply during the daytime to mitigate risks.

In another tragic incident, a 62-year-old woman, Dyavamma of Kanaguppe village, met a similar fate in Bellavara village, Belur taluk, Hassan district. She had ventured out in search of her cattle but never returned. Hours later, her family found her lifeless body in a bush near Bellavara, bearing injuries consistent with an elephant attack.

Range Forest Officer B G Yatish visited the site, but locals, enraged by the recurring elephant menace, demanded the presence of the Forest Minister and Deputy Commissioner. District Forest Officer (DFO) Saurabh Kumar and Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Yedukondalu arrived and attempted to pacify the agitated crowd, but to no avail.

MLA H K Suresh intervened by contacting Forest Minister Khandre, who assured a meeting before February 28 to address the growing human-wildlife conflict. The situation was finally diffused when Deputy Commissioner C Sathyabhama arrived at 6:30 pm, promising a dedicated meeting involving the Forest Department, Coffee Growers Association, and farmers next week.

With her assurance, the villagers relented, allowing officials to proceed with necessary formalities. The Deputy Commissioner also provided Dyavamma’s family with a Rs 15 lakh compensation cheque.

The incidents highlight the escalating human-wildlife conflict in Karnataka, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable solutions to protect both human lives and wildlife in the region.

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News Network
February 11,2025

Mysuru: On Monday night, tensions escalated in front of Mysuru's Udayagiri Police Station as thousands gathered to protest a controversial social media post. The post, which critics say portrayed Muslims negatively, featured images resembling political figures Rahul Gandhi, Aravind Kejriwal, and Akhilesh Yadav, and was titled "three idiots." The post also showed a person performing namaz with Arabic script prominently displayed, further intensifying the allegations of communal insensitivity.

Protesters blocked Mahadevapura Main Road and, at times, resorted to stone pelting directed at the police station, police vehicles, and public property. In response, law enforcement used batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. The ensuing clashes resulted in injuries to several people, including both protestors and police personnel.

By Tuesday morning, normalcy had largely returned. Senior officials—including ADGP R. Hitendra, Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, and DCPs M. Muthuraj and S. Janhnavi—visited the police station to review the situation. Security was significantly increased around the area, and civic workers from the Mysuru City Corporation cleared stones and debris left behind by the demonstrators.

Police have initiated a suo moto case and arrested 32-year-old Suresh, a resident of Kalyangiri Nagar, in connection with the incident. The unrest not only disrupted pedestrian movement but also significantly hampered traffic on Mahadevapura Main Road and its intersections, with city buses bearing the brunt of the blockade.

Despite initial dispersal following police action, the mob reconvened within minutes. It was only around midnight, after assurances from senior police officials—including DCP Muthuraj—that strict action would be taken against those responsible, that the protesters finally dispersed.

Speaking to media on Tuesday morning, ADGP R. Hitendra confirmed that seven police personnel were injured during the stone pelting and announced that a special team had been formed to identify and apprehend the instigators. “The mob was misled by certain individuals who believed that the accused, who shared the derogatory post, would be let off. We will probe thoroughly to determine who is behind this incident,” he stated. 

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News Network
February 7,2025

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Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot returned to the State Government the Karnataka Micro Loan and Small Loan (Prevention of Coercive Actions) Ordinance, 2025, suggesting that the ordinance will benefit borrowers while no provision has been made to provide protection to lenders.

Sources in the government said that the Governor felt the need for a detailed discussion on the ordinance in the legislature. Since the budget session will commence in March 2025, he advised the government to discuss the issue during the session, instead of bringing in the ordinance in a hurry.

The Governor advised the State Government to deliberate on the issue in detail and bring an effective enactment in the interest of the affected people and to protect their rights.

Following alleged harassment by microfinance companies seeking repayment of loans, more than a dozen borrowers had committed suicide in Karnataka. To check the harassment from MFIs, the government has proposed the ordinance.

The Raj Bhavan is of the opinion that it is the duty of the State to protect the vulnerable persons of the society. But, it is also necessary to protect the lawful and genuine rights of the persons who have lent to needy persons within the existing laws with proper checks and balance mechanism.

Mr Gehlot noted: “If all the pending loans with interest as on date is discharged, the lawful and genuine lenders may face trouble. Further, they have no remedy to recover their pending amounts, which may lead to legal battle.”

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