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Bengaluru: Bengaluru Police have apprehend a driver day after for the murder of a Karnataka government officer – Prathima KS – who was found dead at her home in the city’s Subramanyapora area. “One suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the murder case. He was working as a driver and he was removed from the work, probably seven to 10 days earlier,” Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayanand said.
As per the police, driver Kiran, a contract employee with the Karnataka government, was scrapped from service by Pratima, due to which he murdered the officer at her residence in Bengaluru. After the incident, he fled to the state’s Chamrajnagar district, which is around 200 km from Bengaluru from where he was arrested on Monday, the police added.
Ms Prathima, 45, a geologist with the state’s Mines and Geology Department, was hacked to death; her husband and son were in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, which is 300 km from Bengaluru. It was her driver who reportedly dropped her home after work before she was murdered around 8.30 p.m. She lived alone in the city as her husband and son lived in Thirthahalli in Shivamogga district.
Prathima, who is said to be in her 40s, was reportedly ordered to conduct raids on illegal mining activities last month. Her colleagues described her as a very dynamic and brave woman. According to Prathima’s colleague, Dinesh, who worked closely with her, she recently conducted several raids, according to a report by sources.
“Pratima was a very dynamic lady. She was very brave too. Be it raids or any action, she earned a great reputation in the department,” colleague Dinesh said. “She didn’t make any enemies. According to the new rules, she did her work well and earned a great name,” the senior officer added.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured justice for the murdered woman.
