Bengaluru police probing the murder of Karnataka government official Pratima K.S. have arrested her former driver in connection with the case. According to reports, the driver, identified as Kiran, killed her because she sacked him 10 days ago.
He had gone missing after the incident and his mobile phone was switched off, police officials told Indian Express.
Pratima, 45, was Deputy Director with the state's Mines and Geology Department. Her body, with a slit throat, was found at her residence in Doddakallasandra around 8.30 am on Sunday.
"As usual, around 8 pm on Saturday, the deceased Pratima returned home. As she did not respond to phone calls last night and this morning, her elder brother came to her house to check and got to know about her murder. He informed the police," DCP, South Division, Bengaluru City, Rahul Kumar Shahapurwad told reporters on Sunday. Forensic teams also arrived at the spot later to collect samples and other evidence.
Pratima, who was working in Bengaluru Urban, had lived in the house for four-five years. She lived alone on the first floor of a two-story standalone house. According to officials, her husband and 16-year-old son live in Shivamogga district.
A senior officer in the Karnataka Environment Department described her as a very brave and “dynamic lady” who had earned a great reputation in the department. The police had also looked into high-profile cases that Pratima worked on. However, they suspected the motive to be that of a personal nature, News Minute reported. The police are also on the lookout for two others who they suspect helped Kiran with the crime.
