Tag Archives: Meena – Mutlu Village – Somwarpet Taluk

MLA Mantar Gowda donates house to family of 15-year-old girl who was brutally murdered in Kodagu

The murder caught national attention for its brutality as the accused had chopped off the victim’s head and fled from the crime scene.

MLA Gowda spent his own money Rs 8.5 lakh to build the house for the family.Photo | Express

Madikeri :

Madikeri MLA Dr Mantar Gowda has donated a house to the family of the 15-year-old victim who was murdered by her fiancé in May 2024.

Meena, a 15-year-old girl in Mutlu village of Suralabbi limits in Kodagu, was brutally murdered by her 35-year-old fiancé, Onkarappa, right after her SSLC results.

The murder caught national attention for its brutality as the accused had chopped off the victim’s head and fled from the crime scene. The accused was nabbed later and is presently undergoing a court trial.

Meena belonged to a poor family, and they lived in a pitiable condition in a makeshift hut. Following media reports on the condition of the victim’s family, MLA Dr Mantar Gowda had assured the family a house. MLA Gowda spent his own money Rs 8.5 lakh to build the house for the family.

“During my visit to the victim’s house, the family narrated their ordeal. I had assured them of a house and I have fulfilled the same. This work has given me immense satisfaction,” said Dr Mantar.

“The MLA has kept up his words and we are grateful to him. The memories of Meena, who now had to be in college, haunt us constantly. The fact that our daughter will not be with us in the new house brings us sorrow,” shared U Janaki, Meena’s mother.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / June 09th, 2025


Coovercolly Pushpalatha Chandrashekar Media Award presented to journalist Ismail Kandakere

HIGHLIGHTS

Journalist K.M. Ismail Kandakere has been conferred the Coovercolly Pushpalatha Chandrashekar Media Award by the Kodagu Press Club for his compelling human-interest report titled “The roof of Meena’s house is leaking.”

Madikeri:

Journalist K.M. Ismail Kandakere has been conferred the Coovercolly Pushpalatha Chandrashekar Media Award by the Kodagu Press Club for his compelling human-interest report titled “The roof of Meena’s house is leaking.”

The report narrates the harrowing story of Meena (16), an SSLC student from Mutlu village in Somwarpet taluk, who was brutally murdered by her fiancé Monnanda Prakash on May 10, 2024. Although the couple was engaged in April, Meena had opposed an early marriage to continue her education. Enraged by her resistance, Prakash allegedly attacked and killed her with a sickle at her home.

Ismail’s story went beyond the crime to highlight Meena’s dire living conditions. Her house, dilapidated and leaking during the rains, symbolized the poverty the family endured. The report resonated across Karnataka, prompting public outrage and swift political response.

Moved by the family’s plight, Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda visited the bereaved parents in May 2024 and pledged to build a new home for them at an estimated cost of ₹8.5 lakh. True to his word, the house was completed and handed over to Meena’s parents on May 9, a day before her first death anniversary.

The award was instituted by senior journalist Coovercolly Indresh, along with his siblings Savitha, Sundresh, and Chandresh, in memory of their parents B.V. Chandrashekar and Pushpalatha. A corpus fund of ₹1 lakh was deposited with the Kodagu Press Club to support the annual award. The recognition includes a cash prize of ₹5,000 and a memento.

Ravishankar Nanaiah, Special Officer of Kodagu University, presented the award during a ceremony held at Patrika Bhavan in Madikeri on Sunday.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by Hans News Service / June 09th, 2025