Raichur: People across Karnataka have come in support of an engineering student who was found dead in Raichur. Her body was found hanging from a tree, in a burnt state. Though initial police reports suggested that she had committed suicide, allegedly due to her bad performance in her exams, news began to pour in that she was abducted, raped and murdered by her alleged jilted lover Sudarshan.

She left for college on April 13 and did not return home. Her parents got anxious and frightened as she did not return home even after two days. That is when they lodged a missing complaint with the Netaji police in Raichur. It is at this juncture that the police found her body hanging from a tree.

As the issue gained widespread popularity, a candlelight protest was held in Raichur. Activists, youngsters began expressing their ire on social media, seeking justice for the victim, with the hashtag #JusticeforMadhu

In fact, sources said that her friends will stage a protest when the Congress president Rahul Gandhi visits Raichur to address a political rally on Friday.

The family is indeed going through tough times. Her father is unwell and has been hospitalised. However, the girl’s mother said that she is satisfied with the police investigation.

“My husband is unwell. He has been hospitalised. We want justice. I am satisfied with the police investigation. They have promised justice. We want the help of the media. We are not afraid of the issue, but we would like be left alone,” said her mother.

Pramila Nesargi, a prominent lawyer related to women’s rights has alleged that there is more than meets the eye.

“Prima facie, I feel there is no merit in the claims of her committing suicide. All the marks on her body look like they are artificial. It seems someone has harassed her and then, hanged her body from a tree. Going by what her friends say, I feel she is girl of noble character and would not have done anything like this. I want an impartial probe. No girl in the state should feel frightened going to the college,” Pramila said.

Later in the day, the SP of Raichuru said that they are investigating case and her boyfriend has been arrested. However, he said he can't comment on the postmortem.