Karnataka Police Arrest Key Suspect in Tragic Suicide Case Linked to Photo Circulation
Arrest of Ullas Gowda in Mysuru Suicide Case
File image of the accused(Photo: X)
Mysuru, Karnataka - June 23: The Karnataka Police have taken into custody Ullas Gowda, the main suspect in a distressing case involving the alleged distribution of private images and videos of a young woman. This incident is believed to have led to the tragic suicides of the woman and her parents in the Mysuru district, as reported by authorities on Tuesday.
The unfortunate event transpired in Halekempayyanahundi village, located in T. Narasipura taluk, on Monday. The victims were identified as Rakshita, who was set to marry on June 24, along with her parents, Shivanna and Nagaratna.
According to police reports, the three family members are said to have ingested poison, resulting in their deaths by suicide after Rakshita's private images and videos were allegedly shared. The case has been filed under the jurisdiction of Varuna Police Station.
After the incident, Ullas Gowda reportedly fled, prompting Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi to form a special team dedicated to locating and arresting him.
This team, led by Inspectors Dhananjay and Shivananda Shetty, successfully tracked down and apprehended the suspect in Mysuru. Following his arrest, he was presented in court and placed in judicial custody.
Investigators revealed that Ullas Gowda was acquainted with the family and had visited their home on several occasions. Family members have accused him of sharing Rakshita's private images and videos with her fiancé, allegedly to sabotage the upcoming marriage.
Authorities are also investigating how the suspect obtained these private materials. The family claims that Rakshita endured significant harassment.
The tragic deaths have sparked considerable outrage within the village, leading residents to protest and demand the immediate arrest of the suspect. Protesters reportedly obstructed police efforts to transport the bodies for post-mortem examinations until action was taken against Gowda.
The police have initiated a case and are continuing their investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the suspect's involvement.
In a separate alarming incident in the district, a 65-year-old garment trader in Mandya allegedly murdered his wife and son before taking his own life, leaving behind a suicide note that cited financial pressures and business losses related to the state's free bus travel scheme. The deceased were identified as Prabhakar (65), his wife Jyothi (55), and their son Santosh (28).
Additionally, in March 2026, a 27-year-old man named Mohan Gowda reportedly killed his mother and sister and severely injured his nephew due to financial difficulties before attempting suicide. The victims included his mother Asha (55), sister Varshita (34), and Varshita’s 11-year-old son Mayank.