Woman geologist found murdered in Bengaluru home
Her brother was trying to contact her, but since she wasn’t responding to his phone calls, he came to check on her only to find her dead
A woman officer with the Karnataka government was stabbed to death at her residence in Bengaluru, the police said on Sunday.
The deceased, identified as 43-year-old KS Pratima, was serving as a senior geologist in the Mines and Geology Department of Karnataka. Police sources said the assailants broke into her residence at Subramanyapora and fatally stabbed her.
The officer’s driver dropped her off at her home after work, where she had lived for past few years. She was reportedly murdered around 8.30 pm. Her brother was trying to contact her, but since she wasn’t responding to his phone calls, he came to check on her in the morning and found her dead, officials said.
According to police, the death was due to strangulation and a throat slitting. “As usual, around 8 pm on Saturday, the deceased Pratima returned home. As she did not respond to phone calls last night and this morning, her elder brother came to her house to check and got to know about her murder. He informed the police,” DCP, South Division, Bengaluru City, Rahul Kumar Shahapurwad, told reporters.
He said, “Forensic and technical teams are at work on the spot. Three teams have been formed for investigation. We will be able to share further information, once we get to know exactly what happened.” Noting that Pratima was residing in the same house for the last four-five years as she has been working in Bengaluru Urban for the last four years, the DCP said she was living alone.
“The death is because of strangulation and throat slitting,” he said, adding that prima facie there is no theft of any jewellery or valuables.
Reacting to a question on the incident, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Mysuru said the murder will be inquired into and the reason is not yet known. “I just got to know about it. We will inquire into it. It seems that she was staying alone (in Bengaluru), while her husband was in his native village. The reason is not yet known, we will inquire into it,” he said.
According to sources, her husband lived at Thirthahalli in Shivamogga district. Police have registered a case and are investigating all leads. Efforts are also on to trace the attackers, said police. They suspect that people known to her might be behind the murder.
(With agency inputs)