Missing girl case at Dattapeetha takes new turn as mother alleges kidnapping angle

Chikkamagaluru: The mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl near Manikyadhara at Datta Peetha has taken a dramatic turn, with the victim’s mother raising serious allegations of kidnapping. The case, which initially triggered a large-scale search operation, is now being probed from multiple angles following her statement to police.

The missing girl, Sreenanda, a Class 10 student from Palakkad, had gone missing on April 7 while visiting the popular tourist spot with her family. She was part of a group of 41 relatives who had travelled to Karnataka after a trip to Hampi. According to reports, Sreenanda was last seen heading towards a waterfall viewpoint when she suddenly disappeared in a crowded area.

Her mother, Rohini, has now expressed suspicion that her daughter could not have accidentally fallen into the deep valley. She alleged that someone may have administered intoxicants and abducted the girl, adding a new dimension to the investigation. Her statement has raised serious concerns and prompted authorities to explore the possibility of foul play.

In response, an extensive search operation has been intensified in the dense forest and steep terrain surrounding the area. Hundreds of personnel from the police, fire and emergency services, and forest department have been deployed. Rescue teams have even descended nearly 300 feet into the valley using ropes in a bid to trace any clues.

Senior officials, including Western Range IGP Amit Singh, have visited Chikkamagaluru to oversee the ongoing operation and review progress. Authorities are coordinating efforts across departments to ensure no possibility is overlooked.

Investigators noted that just five minutes before she went missing, Sreenanda had recorded a cheerful video on her father’s mobile phone, showing no signs of distress. However, she reportedly vanished while descending steps amid a large crowd, deepening the mystery surrounding her disappearance.

Meanwhile, forest officials have flagged another concern during the search. A group of 28 tourists, including children, was found illegally trekking deep inside the forest area, despite restrictions. Authorities warned them and escorted them back, highlighting the risks posed by irresponsible tourist behaviour in sensitive zones.

The incident has sparked widespread concern, with questions being raised about safety measures at popular tourist destinations like Datta Peetha. Officials have assured that all angles—including accident, abduction, and other possibilities—are being thoroughly investigated.

As the search continues with no concrete breakthrough yet, the family remains anxious, hoping for any sign of the missing girl. Authorities have appealed to the public to share any relevant information that could assist in the investigation.