CHIKKAMAGALURU : Three days after she went missing, the body of 14-year-old Srinanda from Kerala was found about 2,000 feet below the Manikyadhara waterfalls in the Chandradrona Hill ranges on Friday. Srinanda was part of a 40-member tourist group that had visited Datta Peeta and Manikyadhara Falls in Chikkamagaluru district on April 7 evening. Srinanda reportedly got separated from her family and went missing the same day.
Srinanda’s body was traced after a joint effort by the Karnataka Forest Department, Fire and Emergency Services, Police and SDRF personnel. The operation had continued for three days, with teams using thermal drones and combing the difficult terrain.
As news of her death reached the family, scenes of grief unfolded at the site. Her relatives broke down before the media, struggling to come to terms with the loss. Her mother, Rohini, inconsolable and in tears, questioned the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death. Rohini said she could not believe her daughter had slipped accidentally near the falls.
Family alleges foul play, says girl drugged while alone
Srinanda’s mother, Rohini, alleged the possibility of foul play, claiming that someone might have taken advantage of the girl being alone and abducted her after administering drugs.
“My daughter was good in her studies. We had come here after 10 years, and this has struck our family like a bolt from the blue. A detailed probe must be conducted to find out whether it is a murder or an accidental fall,” she said. The atmosphere at the site was described as heart-wrenching, with onlookers moved by the family’s grief. Earlier, the girl’s uncle, Sasikumar, had filed a missing complaint with police. Western Range IG Amit Singh had visited the spot and supervised the search operation.
Deputy Commissioner NM Nagaraj said it was unfortunate that the girl was found dead despite extensive efforts.
Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Dayama said it was too early to conclude whether the death was due to a fall or suicide. “It is yet to be ascertained whether it was a slip or a jump. The case has been registered, and investigation will be carried out from all possible angles,” he said, adding that the exact cause of death would be known after the post-mortem.
Officials said retrieving the body was a major challenge as it was stuck in deep crevices about 2,000 feet below the falls. The difficult terrain and advanced decomposition had complicated efforts. The body was taken out from the crevices by the ANF and the police team and brought down to Arisinaguppe village. Spot mahazar was conducted in the presence of DySP Nagaraj and statements were taken from the girl’s father Ramesh.
The postmortem was conducted in the Mallegowda General Hospital and the body was handed over to the family members.