Bengaluru: Woman found dead at Agara Lake

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

A 22-year-old woman from Sagar in Shivamogga district allegedly died by suicide at Agara Lake in Bengaluru, reportedly unable to bear continuous blackmail and harassment by a man known to her.

The deceased has been identified as Vanishree, 22, a native of Arodi near Belalamakki in Sagar taluk. She was staying at a PG accommodation in HSR Layout and was working in the sales department of a jewellery store in the area.

According to the complaint lodged by her sister Pooja, Vanishree had been subjected to alleged harassment and blackmail by a man identified as Abhishek A.S. through photographs, videos, phone calls and messages.

On Saturday (August 22) morning, Pooja, who was staying in Konappana Agrahara, was informed by Vanishree’s PG mate that Vanishree had left behind a note stating that Abhishek had been troubling and blackmailing her for several days.

Alarmed, Pooja and the PG owner searched for her and subsequently alerted the HSR Layout police. Based on the details mentioned in the note, the police and family members searched the area around Agara Lake, where Vanishree’s body was then recovered.

According to the complaint, Vanishree and Abhishek had known each other since their PU college days in Sagar. The two were reportedly friends at the time. After completing her degree, Vanishree moved to Bengaluru in search of employment.

The complaint alleges that Abhishek continued to contact her through repeated phone and video calls and subjected her to harassment. Vanishree reportedly mentioned in her note that the harassment had intensified over the past year.

Based on Pooja’s complaint, the HSR Layout police have registered a case against Abhishek under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, relating to abetment of suicide.

The police are investigating the allegations and have launched a search operation to trace Abhishek.

(If you are in distress or having suicidal tendencies, please reach out to these helplines: TeleMANAS at 1-8008914416/ 14416, NIMHANS at 08026685948, 9480829670 or SAHAI at 080 25497777, +91-9886444075)

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.