Senior government officer who exposed illegal mining in Karnataka murdered in Bengaluru

A 45-year-old senior government geologist, known for her recent crackdown on illegal mining and sand mafia, was found murdered at her residence in south Bengaluru on Sunday morning. As per a TOI report, the police have detained her driver, Kiran, in connection with the murder. The victim, identified as Prathima KS, was found dead in her 13th-floor flat in VV Towers in Gokul Nagar of Doddakallasandra. The police suspect that she was strangled and her throat was slit. There were no signs of forced entry, and nothing in the house appeared to have been disturbed.

Prathima worked in the department of mines and geology. Her elder brother, Pratish, a civic contractor, discovered the murder when he visited her house after she failed to answer his calls. The police are investigating various angles, including her involvement in actions against illegal mining and a possible family dispute. They are also considering the possibility of someone close to her being involved in the crime.

Prathima's husband resides in Shivamogga, while she lived in Bengaluru with their son, who is a 10th-grade student. The murder is believed to have taken place on Saturday evening, shortly after Prathima was dropped off at her residence by her department's driver. The driver left the vehicle near her house and returned home on his bike. Rahul Kumar Shahapurwad, DCP (south), stated that they are uncertain whether one person or multiple individuals were responsible for the crime.


Prathima's husband, who is a schoolteacher turned farmer, lives in Thirthahalli, approximately 300km from Bengaluru. According to the victim's mother-in-law, there were no issues in their 16-year marriage. The police continue to investigate the case to determine the motive behind the murder.