College girl gunned down in B’lore hostel

Tribune News Service

Bengaluru, April 1

An 18-year-old girl student was allegedly shot dead and her roommate injured by an employee of the college who stormed into the hostel on the city outskirts.

The man, identified as Mahesh, was arrested today, after he allegedly gunned down Gautami last night and fled the crime scene at Pragathi College at Kadugodi, the Bengaluru police said.

Mahesh is said to have barged into the hostel room on the third floor where two girls, students of pre-university course II year (Class XII), resided.

Mahesh fired from his country-made pistol, killing Gautami instantly and injuring her friend Sirisha, Bengaluru Police Commissioner MN Reddi said.

Sirisha is “out of danger” and is being treated at a private hospital here.

Though there are reports that Mahesh knew Gauthami, the police claimed that there was no relationship between them.

Reddi said Mahesh was working with the institution for the past two years and the motive behind the killing was not yet known.

Special teams had been formed to track down Mahesh and sent to different parts of the state. He was traced to his sister’s house, the police said, adding, he had been booked for murder and other offences under the Indian Arms Act.

Home Minister KJ George, who visited the college, described it as “an unfortunate incident”.

(With agency inputs)