A 32-year-old man, who had beheaded a teenage girl following the cancellation of their engagement with the intervention of the Women and Child Welfare Department, was found dead by suicide on Friday. His body was found hanging in Hamniyala village, near Somwarpet town in Kodagu district.





 
















According to reports, the man became furious when the two families jointly agreed to delay their marriage until the girl reached adulthood.


The incident occurred on Thursday night when Prakash visited the house of the girl. Upon his arrival, he assaulted the girl with a sharp weapon, resulting in her beheading, before fleeing with her severed head. The police continue to search for the severed head of the girl named Meena (16), as per a report on IANS.


Prakash also targeted the victim’s parents during the attack.


Preliminary investigations by the police suggested that Prakash committed the crime in a fit of rage following the cancellation of his engagement with the girl. The engagement was called off after the Women and Child Welfare Department intervened on Thursday.


After a tip-off to the helpline, the officials from Women and Child Welfare Department said that they got the assurance from the parents of the victim to not marry her off till she turned 18. 


Yet, it is unclear why Prakash turned to such extreme violence, especially given that both families had agreed to proceed with his marriage to the victim once she reached the age of 18.


In the midst of this crime, the Karnataka BJP has taken aim at the Congress government, condemning the appalling incident and raising concerns about the safety of women and girls within the state.


The crime has taken place amid multiple controversies in the state including the murder of Neha Hiremath and Prajwal Revanna Sex Scandal. 


ALSO READ: Prajwal Revanna 'Sex Scandal': No Need To Hand Over Case To CBI, Says Karnataka CM