Ex-driver secured in woman geologist murder case: Bengaluru Police Commissioner

Bengaluru: In a breakthrough, the city police have secured a person allegedly involved in a senior woman geologist working in Mines and Geology Department.

"The police have secured a person and are investigating the (murder) case under the aegis of DCP South. The accused was secured yesterday at Mahabaleshwar hills," Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda told reporters here on Monday.

The deceased has been identified as KS Pratima and was allegedly murdered at her residence on Saturday night at the Doddakallasandra under the Subramanyapura police station limits.

The accused was working for 43 years old Pratima as a car driver for the past four years, and it has come to be known that he was terminated from the job due to some reasons a week back, Dayanand said.

"After a thorough investigation, we can give you more details on it," he said.

Initially, the police detained three men in the case and during the questioning they came to know about the prime suspect in the murder case.

As per the police, Pratima was murdered by strangulation and slitting her throat. The murder took place around 8 pm on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara said the police had found the clue to the murder and were investigating the reason behind the crime and who is behind it.

"The police have found a clue to the murder. They are investigating the case. And they will make an announcement ... After investigation is conducted, who is behind the murder and for what reason the murder took place, will be known," he said.

Pratima's elder brother informed the police about the murder after he visited her house Sunday morning as she did not respond to his phone calls Saturday night, DCP (South) Rahul Kumar Shahapurwad said.

He said Pratima was living alone in the house for the last four to five years, and prima facie there is no theft of any jewellery or valuables. (UNI)