Belthangady: Primary investigation confirms 15-year-old’s death to be murder; police intensify probe
Post-mortem test shows boy suffered three severe blows on head
Belthangady: Police investigation on the death of the 15-year-old boy Sumanth, who had died recently in an unnatural manner while on the way to the temple, has been intensified as the post-mortem examination has revealed that Sumanth was murdered and suffered three severe blows on his head.
Sumanth had gone missing early Wednesday morning and his body was found in a pond near his house in Sambolya in Odilnala village.
Preliminary information from the report shows that the youngster was hit with a weapon like a sword. The boy is suspected to have fallen into the pond in a semi-conscious state and later died as the water filled into his lungs, the report has said.
ALSO READ: Belthangady: Body of missing 15-year-old boy found in pond near home
The primary police investigation has confirmed that Sumanth was murdered and have intensified the probe. Senior officers are stationed at the site to guide various teams that have been conducting intensive search operations starting last night.
In addition, the FSL team, SOCO team and the police team conducted a ‘luminal test’ using chemicals to identify the area near the pond where Sumanth’s body was found and also the areas where blood stains were found. A police team is getting the pond emptied as part of the probe.
Belthangady Inspector Subbapur Math is leading the investigation conducted by Venur, Belthangady, Punjalkatte and Dharmasthala Police, under the guidance of Belthangady Deputy SP Rohini CK.
Sumanth’s body has been handed over to the bereaved family members.
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Udupi: Woman, bank employee arrested in property tax fraud case
Udupi: Udupi City Police have arrested two persons, including a woman, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of property tax funds belonging to the Udupi Municipal Council.
The accused have been identified as Shalini, who was working as a tax consultant outside the municipal office, and Ganesh, a bank employee.
According to police, Anand Suvarna had paid Rs 34,730 towards 12 years of property tax for his building in Kalmadi to Shalini on October 16, 2025. She reportedly issued him a receipt acknowledging the payment.
However, when Suvarna recently checked the status of the payment on the property tax portal, he found that the amount had not been credited and was still shown as pending. He then brought the matter to the notice of the Municipal Commissioner, who verified that the payment had not been recorded.
During questioning, Shalini allegedly admitted to the lapse. On February 16, 2026, she generated a new challan in Suvarna’s name and paid Rs 35,213 towards the dues.
Police said a case has been registered at the Udupi City Police Station against the accused for allegedly misappropriating tax money and defrauding the government by affixing the seal of Union Bank on the challan without remitting the amount initially received from the taxpayer.
Further investigation is under way.
