Minor held for vandalising grave of murdered SSLC student in Shivamogga

Shivamogga : In a disturbing development, police have arrested a minor for allegedly vandalising the grave of SSLC student Sanketh, who was earlier brutally murdered while trying to stop a fight. The accused is reportedly a friend of the juveniles already lodged in jail in connection with the murder case.

According to police, the grave of Sanketh was desecrated on March 31 at the Hindu burial ground in Guddemaradih. Acting on a complaint filed by the victim’s family, the Tunganagar Police Station launched an intensive investigation. Officials said multiple angles were probed, and the accused minor was identified and apprehended using technical evidence.

Sanketh, an SSLC student, had lost his life on February 23 after being assaulted by a group of minors. The incident occurred when Sanketh attempted to intervene and rescue his friend Girish, who was being attacked by a group of five boys in the same locality.

At the time, Sanketh had just finished attending special classes at a government high school in Soolabailu on the outskirts of Shivamogga. As he was returning home, he witnessed the assault on his friend and rushed to help. However, the attackers turned on him and allegedly beat him severely, leaving him critically injured.

Locals rushed to the spot after being alerted, and Sanketh was taken to a private hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries on the way, leaving his family devastated.

Following his death, Sanketh’s parents had performed his last rites at the Guddemaradih burial ground and later constructed a memorial on March 26 in his memory. Within days, the grave was found vandalised, with granite slabs broken and the structure damaged using stones.

The act sparked outrage and deep anguish among the family members, who approached the police seeking justice. With the arrest of the accused minor, police said further investigation is underway to ascertain the motive behind the act and whether others were involved.