“Three to four years ago, Keerthana’s sister got married to Naveen’s brother. Ever since, Naveen has been pestering Keerthana’s family that once she turns 18, the family would have to get her married to him,” the Doddaballapura Town Police said.

However, Keetrhana staunchly opposed the match and had dreams of pursuing higher studies. “She had refused to marry him multiple times. Every time they would fight about it, Naveen would tell her parents and they would pacify him by saying that she is still a girl. They had planned to get her married to him after she turned 18 years,” the police added.

Keerthana stood her ground and told her parents that she would never marry Naveen. “He began stalking her a few months ago and would constantly harass her and force her to be in a relationship with him. Keerthana felt that he was too old for her and she did not like his behaviour. She had told him that she would never marry him,” the police added.

When the stalking persisted, Keerthana had allegedly approached the Doddaballapura Police three months ago in order to scare Naveen. “She wanted him to stop stalking her and leave her alone. She, however, did not want to file a complaint then. She had requested the police to warn Naveen,” the police said.

Soon after, Keerthana noticed that Naveen would not come by her school every day and the persistent harassment had stopped. “But Naveen had not stopped stalking her. He just did not go up to her and talk or harass her. But the stalking continued. Naveen began to suspect that Keerthana was in a relationship with another man,” the police said.

On Wednesday morning, Naveen followed Keerthana to school and a few meters away from the school gate, he allegedly confronted her and voiced his suspicion. Police say that a loud argument broke out between the two on the street. “According to a few witnesses, Keerthana allegedly told Naveen that she would rather die than get married to him. She also told him that she would never marry him or be in a relationship with him,” the Doddaballapura police said.

Naveen then took out a sickle, which he brought along with him and hacked Keerthana’s neck and ran away. Passers-by noticed the young girl lying face down on the street with blood all over her and immediately called an ambulance.

The police and ambulance arrived and rushed her to a nearby hospital. “Naveen, meanwhile, had gone back home and consumed poison. He was rushed to the hospital and is recovering now. Keerthana was declared brought dead,” the police said.

A case of stalking and murder has been registered at the Doddaballapura Town Police Station.