Belthangady: There was shock and disbelief all over in Dharmasthala when news trickled in that a 17 year old college student has been raped and murdered. Reports said the girl, a student of SDM PU College, who had left home for college on Tuesday had not returned home following which there was a futile intensive search for her.
Later a police complaint was lorded and her body was found amid bushes close by the main road on Wednesday.
The girl is learnt to be the daughter of Chandappa Gowda a PWD contractor who resided at Pangala near Dharmasthala.
There is a suspicion that the girl has been raped as was evident from her hands tied with her own shawl. The golden earrings and chain which the girl was wearing were intact and therefore the case of murder for gain has been ruled out.
Investigations are in progress.