Karnataka: 22-Year-Old Swathi Murdered, Social Media Calls for Justice

Haveri, Karnataka: The brutal murder of a 22-year-old woman, Swathi Ramesh, from Masuru village in Rattihalli Taluk, has sparked outrage and social media demands for justice. Swathi, who worked as a nurse in Ranebennur, was reported missing on March 3, and her body was discovered in the Tungabhadra River near Fatehpur on March 6.

Initially, Halageri Police treated the case as an unidentified body and conducted a post-mortem before performing the last rites. However, forensic findings confirmed that Swathi had been strangled, prompting authorities to launch a full-fledged murder investigation.

Investigation and Arrests
Police later identified the victim and arrested Nayaz (28) from Hirekerur town, who confessed to the crime. He revealed that two accomplices, Vinayak Pujar and Durga Chari Badiger, assisted him in the murder. The trio allegedly lured Swathi to Suvarna Park in Ranebennur on March 3 before taking her to an abandoned school in Rattihalli, where they strangled her with a towel. Around 11 PM, they transported her body in Vinayak’s car and dumped it in the Tungabhadra River.

Swathi’s mother, devastated by her daughter's death, has demanded justice, stating, “She left home, saying she would return, but never did. We searched everywhere before filing a missing complaint. I have no idea who did this. Whoever it is, they must be punished. This should not happen to any other girl.”

Motive and Communal Controversy
Authorities believe Swathi and Nayaz had a close relationship, but conflicts arose when Nayaz decided to marry a woman from his own religion. This reportedly led to disputes, culminating in Swathi’s murder. Police have clarified that the crime was personal and not linked to communal issues.

Despite this, the case has taken a communal turn on social media, with posts under the hashtag #JusticeForSwathi demanding strict punishment for the accused. Hindu organizations and activists have staged protests in Masuru village, calling for swift justice.

Haveri Superintendent of Police Anshu Kumar stated, “The murder is not linked to any communal angle. It was carried out due to personal reasons. We have arrested Nayaz, and efforts are underway to apprehend the other two suspects.”

The investigation is ongoing, with police teams actively searching for the absconding accused.