Kerala Teen Found Dead in Karnataka Valley; Family Suspects Kidnapping
Sri Nanda's body was recovered 1,500 feet below the Manikyadhara viewpoint in Karnataka.
A 14-year-old girl from Palakkad, identified as Sri Nanda, was found dead four days after she went missing during a family trip to the Chandradrona Hill Range. The Class 10 student had disappeared while hiking with relatives, prompting an intensive search operation across the difficult terrain of the region.
According to officials, Sri Nanda had travelled with around 40 family members to Karnataka, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site Hampi before reaching Chikkamagaluru on April 7. The group later proceeded in private jeeps to a shrine and eventually trekked towards the Manikyadhara area in the hills, a popular tourist and pilgrimage spot.
The girl was last seen around 6 pm on the day of the hike as darkness began to set in. Family members reported that she went missing near the Manikyadhara viewpoint, and initial efforts by relatives to locate her were unsuccessful. A formal complaint was subsequently filed, triggering a large-scale police search operation in the region.
Also Read: Kerala girl, 14, goes missing during family hike on Karnataka's Chandradrona hills
Rescue teams, including local police and emergency personnel, combed through steep valleys and dense forest areas using ropes, drones, and thermal imaging equipment. After four days of continuous efforts, Sri Nanda’s body was discovered in a valley approximately 1,500 feet below the viewpoint, indicating a fall from a significant height.
The family has expressed suspicion regarding the circumstances of her death, raising the possibility of kidnapping or foul play. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that multiple angles are being examined, including whether the girl may have accidentally slipped or if other factors were involved.
Authorities have seized the mobile phones of the girl’s parents as part of the ongoing investigation, and further forensic analysis is underway. The incident comes shortly after another case involving a missing trekker in Karnataka, highlighting concerns over safety in hilly and forested trekking zones, especially during late hours and low-visibility conditions.
Also Read: Kerala girl, 14, goes missing during family hike on Karnataka's Chandradrona hills
