18-year-old missing for 40 days, parents suspect she may have eloped with 50-year-old man

HUBBALLI: An 18-year-old degree student at the women’s college here, who had gone to her grandmother’s house at Kolhapur in Maharashtra on January 3, has reportedly eloped with a 50-year-old man. She has remained missing since then and her parents are now going around the city sticking posters with her picture and seeking information.

Karishma Bhat is the daughter of Deepak Sardar Bhat and Sheetal, residents of Chalukya Nagar in Hubballi. Karishma had joined an Arts degree course, but has been missing ever since she went to visit her grandmother. The father Deepak works as a security guard while the mother works as a labourer.

Security guard Prakash, the 50-year-old man with whom Karishma has reportedly eloped, was already married and has two children. He is also a resident of Chalukya Nagar and was reportedly constantly in touch with her on the phone. Karishma is among the three daughters of Deepak and Sheetal. While the eldest daughter is married, the youngest is studying in Class 8.

A missing person’s complaint was lodged with the Kolhapur police while Karishma’s parents have lodged a complaint with the Keshwapur police suspecting that Prakash may be behind their daughter’s disappearance. However, even 40 days after she went missing, there has been no sign of Karishma, the parents said.

The parents said that they had earlier lodged a complaint againt Prakash on June 9, 2024 for teasing their daughter, but nothing much was done. They say they only want to know why Karishma went missing and added that they are okay with her marrying anyone of her choice other than the 50-year-old man.