Youth found dead in Malavalli village was murdered by minor girl’s brother, reveals probe

MANDYA: A youth who was found dead near his goods vehicle in an apparent accident near the Ramandur lake was in fact murdered, investigation by the police has revealed. The deceased was identified as Manju (21), a resident of Kalkuni village in Malavalli taluk.

The body was found close to the vehicle.

Manju was in a relationship with a minor girl, who is also a relative. He had brought the girl from her parental home in Ramandur and kept her at her grandmother’s house. Manju’s family had planned to get them married one the girl turned a major in two months’ time. This had led to tensions between both families.

Police Superintendent Mallikarjun Baladandi said, “Manju, who would go fishing with his father Shivaswamy at the Ramandur lake, had cast the net in the evening last Tuesday along with Puttaswamy and had gone to a shop. The police were informed about an accident and a goods vehicle was found in a ditch and his body was found close by”.

Upon closer examination, it was found that Manju had suffered head injuries and the windshield of the goods vehicle was broken with a stone. “Manju’s father told us that he faced threats from the girl’s family and lodged a complaint. Upon questioning, the girl’s brother Darshan admitted to murdering Manju”, the SP said.