Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Bantwal, Jul 17: Following the completion of the post-mortem examination at a hospital in Deralakatte, the mortal remains of Lavanya were kept for public viewing in front of the private nursing home in Kalladka, where she was employed. Hospital staff, colleagues, friends, and locals paid their last respects with heavy hearts. She was brutally murdered in broad daylight by her relative and jilted llover Chethan Gowda in B C Road KSRTC bus stand on July 16.
Later, the body was brought to the Kakyapadavu junction to allow the public to pay their homages, before being taken to her native village. Heart-wrenching scenes were witnessed at Lavanya’s residence as her grieving family members, relatives, friends, and villagers bid her a tearful farewell.
The final rites were performed in the presence of her family members and relatives.
The public expressed massive outrage over the incident. "The accused must be given the strictest punishment under the law. The government and the police department must take stringent measures to ensure such inhuman acts do not recur," the gathered public demanded.
The tragedy, where stalking in the name of one-sided love culminated in the brutal murder of an innocent young woman, has sent shockwaves across society. The incident has once again triggered serious discussions regarding women's safety, law and order, and the rising violence stemming from unrequited love.
The murder has drawn widespread condemnation across the district. Political leaders and heads of various organizations, cutting across caste and religious lines, have strongly condemned the heinous crime and demanded severe punishment for the accused.
Prominent figures including health minister U T Khader, Mangaluru member of parliament Capt Brijesh Chowta, former minister B Ramanath Rai, member of legislative council Harish Kumar, and leaders such as Sharan Pumpwell, Satish Kumpala, Baby Kundar, Mayilappa Salian, Sudarshan Baja, Harikrishna Bantwal, Pius L Rodrigues, Prakash Anchan, Madhava Mave, Chennappa Kotian, and Ramadas Bantwal visited the grieving family and paid their last respects to Lavanya.