Thirthahalli: The mystery death of a schoolgirl has had the small town of Thirthahalli in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district in an uproar. The teen, who according to her parents was abducted, drugged or poisoned and then raped, died in a hospital in Manipal on October 29.
A suicide note has reportedly surfaced. But the police are yet to confirm it and the parents claim the note is not in the girl’s handwriting.
The issue is also being seen as communally sensitive as it is believed the girl and her attackers belonged to different communities.
After the BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa, who is from the district, visited the family, Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed the Opposition party was just “creating confusion”.
“The BJP is creating confusion in the minds of the people. In their period, there were attacks on churches. The BJP workers were taking the law into their hands. We did not permit that,” he said. ” The law and order situation is good in Karnataka. The case is with the CID (the criminal investigation department) and they will take action in accordance with the law.”
The minister in charge of the district, Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar, says the case could be a difficult one to crack, since the matter was reported to the police two days after the girl’s death.
“The incident happened on October 29. The police got the complaint 48 hours later. Because of the delay, it was more difficult to collect evidence,” he said. “They have started the investigation on basis of the information given by the family.”
“My opinion is that they did not take the child to the hospital in time. Whatever it is, the investigation will continue. Whoever is guilty will be identified and we will announce this,” said S Parashivamurthy, Inspector General of Police.
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