22-Year-Old Woman Dies by Suicide at Agara Lake in Bengaluru Following Harassment

A 22-year-old woman allegedly died by suicide after jumping into Agara Lake in southeastern Bengaluru following persistent harassment and blackmail, officials said on Sunday.

The deceased was identified as Vanishree, a native of Arodi near Belalamakki in Sagar taluk, Shivamogga district. She had moved to Bengaluru a year ago in search of employment and was residing in a paying guest accommodation located in HSR Layout Sector 1. Her elder sister, Pooja, also resided in the city.

According to police, Vanishree was employed in the sales department of a local jewellery store. Investigators stated that she left behind a note in her room, which was discovered on the morning of August 22.

In the note, Vanishree alleged that a man named Abhishek AS had been constantly blackmailing her through phone calls, messages, videos, and photographs, adding that the harassment had intensified over the past year. The two had known each other since their pre-university course (PUC) days in Shivamogga. The note stated that Abhishek continued to contact and harass her, and she held him responsible for her death while apologising for her actions.

After Pooja discovered the note on Saturday morning, she, along with the paying guest accommodation owner and others, initiated a search for Vanishree. The local police were also alerted regarding her disappearance. Vanishree's body was subsequently discovered in Agara Lake. Police personnel retrieved the body and sent it for a post-mortem examination.

Following a formal complaint lodged by Pooja, the HSR Layout police registered a case under Section 108 (abetment to suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). An investigation into the matter is currently underway.