Savanur police have arrested two men linked to the alleged exploitation and coercion of a 17-year-old girl, who later took her own life. The accused, aged 23 and 19, are from villages in Bagalkot and Haveri districts.
Investigations revealed that the older suspect befriended the girl through social media and met her multiple times before taking her to his home in Mudhol. The younger suspect, a former acquaintance of the girl, pressured her for marriage and used threats involving private materials to intimidate her.
The victim, a student from Savanur taluk studying in Hubballi, had been gifted a mobile phone by her father, a daily wage worker. Through an online platform, she connected with the first suspect, leading to frequent interactions. On October 31, 2024, he took her to his residence, where she stayed for several days.
The second suspect, harboring unreciprocated feelings, began pressuring the girl after she declined his advances. He used threats to manipulate her, causing immense distress.
Overwhelmed by the situation, the girl ended her life in the Varada River, with her body found on November 7. Her family’s concerns prompted an FIR, and police traced the suspects using her phone and online activity.
SP Anshu Kumar Srivastava emphasized, “This case underscores the importance of safeguarding young individuals from harmful influences and threats.”
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