Palakkad teen Sreenanda, who was found dead in Chikkamagaluru, cremated

The body of Sreenanda, a 15-year-old native of Palakkad who was found dead in a valley near Manikhyadhara waterfalls in Chikkamagaluru after being missing for four days, was brought home on Saturday, around 10.50 am. After the funeral rites, the body was cremated around 2.20 pm at Ivormadom, Pampady. Sreenanda’s friends from Kadambazhipuram GUP School, along with relatives, residents and neighbours, arrived at her house to pay their final respects.

Sreenanda was reported missing around 5.30 pm on Tuesday during a 40-member family trip, including her parents, Ramesh and Rohini, natives of Kadambazhipuram. Speaking to the media, her uncle, Sasikumar, said that although the family initially had doubts surrounding her death, they suspect she might have fallen off the edge. He said she had previously crossed the heavy barricades when they were near the valley and was scolded for it, adding that she might have done so again.

Her body was recovered from the valley following an extensive search by police and fire force personnel from both Palakkad and Chikkamagaluru. Karnataka police had deployed around 60 search teams after a complaint was registered. Meanwhile, of the 40 family members who had come for the trip, around 15 stayed back to assist in the search. Another team from Palakkad, comprising friends and relatives, also reached Chikkamagaluru to aid the search.

Her family had earlier raised concerns about how the body was found four days later, when the area had already been searched by police and rescue teams. According to Chikkamagaluru SP Jitendra Kumar Dayama, preliminary investigation shows that she might have fallen into the valley, adding that further angles are being probed. “The area is also heavily barricaded,” he said.

Inquest procedures were completed at the spot, and the body was retrieved in the presence of her father. After post-mortem examination in Chikkamagaluru, the body was transported to her house. A high-level special investigation team is continuing its probe into the incident.