Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru (SP)

Chikkamagaluru, Dec 26: An old couple from here had four daughters. They had married off the first three after giving them everything within their command including education. They dreamt of living by the side of their last daughter, and therefore, had started to build a house for her and her future husband, at a site adjacent to the old house in which they live now.

The girl's marriage was to take place in a couple of months. But they have now been hit by catastrophe in the form of death of their last daughter.

The girl concerned, Smitha, died six weeks back. Her father Shankare Gowda, and mother Pushpa, have not been able to hold back their tears which roll down in memory of their beloved daughter. The person who shattered the dreams of the couple and their daughter happens to be Pratham.

Pratham from Goudalli near Guttihalli, works as clerk in the District Central Cooperative Bank at Mudigere. Smitha worked for a private company at Bengaluru and lived in a rented room at Thotadaguddahalli. Both of them were in love with each other since the last four years. Smitha's parents, who eventually came to know this mutual love, gave their nod for the marriage. When Smitha's parents proposed marriage, Pratham demanded gold ornaments, site at Bengaluru, two acres of coffee plantation etc. He also demanded to build a new house for him as the current one is old.

Smitha's parents, who could afford to meet these demands, agreed to pay dowry in the form of gold, plantation and new house, and in consultation with the parents of Patham, planned to perform the marriage shortly. In the meanwhile, they got the shock of their life in the form of death of their dear daughter, who committed suicide.

A couple of months before the scheduled marriage, it came to light that Pratham had illicit relationship with two or three girls. As soon as she came to know about it, Smitha raised the issue with Pratham and pleaded with him to end these relationships in the interests of their future. Pratham told her that that is the way in which he lives. He asked her to marry him if she chooses to do so, or get lost. Because he cheated her, Smitha wrote his name hundreds of times before hanging herself in the room where she lived, during last month.

A complaint against Pratham was lodged in Madanakanahalli police station, Bengaluru. Pratham has gone missing since then and the police are searching for him.