Belthangady: Body of Missing Boy Found in Pond Near His Residence
Belthangady: The body of the 15-year-old boy who had gone missing was discovered in a pond near his house. Sumanth, son of Subrahmanya Naik, had been reported missing earlier this morning while en route to the Naala temple for Dhanu Puja. The incident occurred in the Sambolya–Baramelu area of Kuvettu village.
Sumanth, a Class 9 student at the Government High School in Gerukatte, regularly attended the Dhanu Puja at the Naala temple with two other boys. On January 14, he departed his residence at approximately 4:00 a.m. When he failed to arrive at the temple within the expected timeframe, his companions proceeded without him.
Concern arose when Sumanth’s absence persisted. The two boys contacted Sumanth’s family, only to learn that he had already left for the temple. The family, increasingly alarmed, alerted local residents, initiating a search for the missing boy.
The discovery of bloodstains near a pond along Sumanth’s usual route heightened the urgency of the search. A collaborative effort involving the police, forest department, fire and emergency services, and local residents was launched. At approximately 11:30 a.m., the search team located Sumanth’s body in the aforementioned pond.
Belthangady Police Inspector Subbapura Math, Sub-Inspector Anand M., Tahsildar Prithvi Sanikam, RI Pavadappa, BEO Tarakeshwari, along with administrative officials and school teachers, promptly arrived at the scene to conduct a thorough inspection. The District Superintendent of Police also visited the location to assess the situation firsthand. Law enforcement officials have registered a case and have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sumanth’s death.
Speaking to members of the press, District Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar confirmed the presence of injuries on the deceased’s body. He stated that the precise cause and nature of these injuries would be determined following a post-mortem examination. Assuring a commitment to justice, Superintendent Kumar affirmed that further legal action would be pursued based on the findings of the investigation. The community mourns the loss of the young student as authorities work to uncover the truth behind this tragic event.