Harassment – Mother, Daughter Die by Suicide in Mandya Village

Harassment – A tragic case of alleged harassment and criminal intimidation has emerged from Mandya district, where a mother and her teenage daughter were found dead inside their home-

A 46-year-old woman and her 19-year-old daughter were discovered dead at their residence in Dalavai Kodihalli village in Karnataka’s Mandya district on Sunday, February 8. Police suspect the deaths were suicides and have launched an investigation into allegations that the family had been facing sustained harassment and threats from a neighbour.

The deceased have been identified as Shakuntala Devi and her daughter Priyanka. The incident occurred at a time when the household was preparing for Priyanka’s upcoming wedding, which, according to investigators, may have intensified tensions with the accused.

Allegations of Persistent Harassment

Preliminary findings indicate that a 35-year-old neighbour, Muthuraju, is accused of repeatedly pressuring Priyanka to marry him. Authorities said he is married and has three children. Despite this, he allegedly continued to pursue the teenager and approached her family with marriage proposals.

Family members had reportedly declined his advances several times, pointing to his marital status. Priyanka’s father, M. Mahesh, along with Shakuntala Devi, is said to have warned the neighbour to stay away from their daughter. However, investigators believe the situation escalated after the accused learned that Priyanka was engaged to another man.

Threats Allegedly Made Before the Incident

Police officials stated that tensions reached a critical point on Sunday morning. According to initial reports, the accused allegedly called Shakuntala Devi and issued threats, warning of serious consequences if the wedding plans moved forward.

Authorities are examining call records as part of their probe to verify the claims of criminal intimidation. Investigators are working to determine whether the alleged threats directly influenced the tragic outcome.

At the time of the incident, Mahesh was reportedly not at home. Police believe that distressed by ongoing pressure and fearful about their safety and social circumstances, the mother and daughter took the extreme step inside their residence.

Police Investigation Underway

Senior officers from Mandya district visited the scene shortly after the bodies were discovered. The Mandya Superintendent of Police confirmed that a case has been registered at the Halaguru police station based on a complaint filed by Mahesh.

Officials said a detailed inquiry is in progress to establish the full sequence of events leading up to the deaths. Statements from family members and neighbours are being recorded, and digital evidence, including mobile phone data, is being examined.

“We are investigating the allegations thoroughly and collecting all relevant evidence,” a police official said, adding that further legal action will depend on the outcome of the probe.

Community in Shock

The incident has left residents of Dalavai Kodihalli village shaken. Neighbours described the family as quiet and focused on preparing for the forthcoming wedding. Local authorities have urged anyone with additional information related to the case to come forward.

Police have reiterated that the investigation remains ongoing and that conclusions will be drawn only after a comprehensive review of evidence. The case has once again highlighted concerns around harassment and the impact of sustained intimidation on families in rural communities.

Further updates are expected as the inquiry progresses.