BENGALURU: Shockwaves rippled through the city as news emerged of a woman officer from the Department of Mines and Land Survey in Karnataka being brutally murdered by a mysterious gang in Bangalore. The motive behind the murder is suspected to be the closure of a hostile quarry.
The victim, identified as Prathima, 37, hails from Tirthahalli, Shivamogga district. She was a mining and land developer in Bangalore and had been working as an Assistant Director of the Research Department for the past 15 years. Prathima was married and had a son.
Prathima resided alone in the Gokula Flats at Thottakalchandra in Bengaluru, while her husband and son lived in Tirthahalli. On the day of the incident, Prathima returned home around 8:30 pm in a government vehicle. However, as soon as she entered her house, the gang, who had been waiting for her arrival, attacked her, slit her throat with a knife, and quickly fled the scene.
Prathima’s brother, Pratish, who works as a contractor with the Bengaluru Corporation, became concerned when she did not answer her phone despite multiple attempts. He decided to visit her in the morning, and to his horror, discovered her lifeless body. The police were immediately informed, and three special teams have been formed to apprehend the killers.
Expressing his concern, Land Survey Minister Mallikarjun said, “There are many doubts surrounding Prathima’s murder. She did not have any trouble at the departmental level, but some people say there may have been a family problem. Thus, the investigation will cover all angles.”
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also commented on the investigation, stating, “It is still unclear what led to Prathima’s murder. The investigation is ongoing, and the culprits will be captured soon.”
One possible motive for the murder stems from Prathima’s involvement in the closure of an illegal quarry in the Hunasamaranahalli village of Bangalore. She had conducted an investigation into the matter before shutting down the quarry and subsequently submitted a report to the government. Officials believe that this decision may have provoked the ire of the individuals involved in the illegal activities.
Bengaluru Nagar District Collector Dayanand visited Prathima’s house to offer his condolences. Speaking about the incident, he stated, “Officers working in the mining sector face immense pressure. It is their responsibility to combat illegal quarries and protect the environment. Prathima was a fearless and honest female officer.”
Recently, a meeting was held with authorities to discuss measures to curtail illegal mining, and Prathima actively participated in the discussions. The meeting resulted in orders to halt illegal mining operations, which Prathima implemented diligently.
The incident has shed light on the challenges faced by officers in the mining sector, who often encounter intimidation and disturbances while performing their duties. It is hoped that the police will conduct a thorough investigation and bring Prathima’s killers to justice.