In a major breakthrough in a six-month-old murder case, the Hosadurga Police have arrested four individuals, including a village panchayat member and a former MLA’s driver, for the murder of Prasanna Kumar (45), a resident of Janakal village.
The arrested individuals are:
Gayathri PR (30) – Wife of the victim and a Janakal panchayat member
Yashavanth (28) – Former driver of ex-MLA BG Govindappa
Lohith (30) – Resident of Gudihalli, Ajjampura taluk
Veerabhadrappa (24) – Resident of D Mallapur, Hosadurga taluk
According to Chitradurga SP Ranjit Kumar Bandaru, Prasanna Kumar was first reported missing on March 17, 2025, and a complaint was filed at Hosadurga Police Station. Weeks later, his body was found abandoned in a forest area near Lingadahalli in Chikkamagaluru district.
The investigation revealed that the crime occurred on February 16, 2025, when the accused lured Prasanna Kumar into a car, assaulted him near Santeveri, and strangled him with a towel before dumping his body in the forest.
Police suspect a motive rooted in an illicit affair, allegedly involving Gayathri. The murder was premeditated, and all four suspects remain in police custody as the investigation continues.
SP Bandaru stated that further interrogation is underway to determine the depth of planning and the involvement of others, if any.
