Mysuru private photo leak drives engaged woman, parents to suicide
Synopsis
Three days before her wedding, Rakshita and her parents took their own lives in Mysuru after a man allegedly leaked her private photographs and videos to her fiancé. The accused, Ullas Gowda, remains at large. Villagers blocked the post-mortem until police acted — a stark measure of how deeply the community was shaken.
Key Takeaways
Rakshita and her parents Shivanna and Nagaratna died by suicide on 22 June in Kempaiyyanahundi village, T.
Narasipura taluk, Mysuru .
Her wedding had been scheduled for 24 June — just two days later.
Accused Ullas Gowda allegedly circulated Rakshita's private photos and videos to her fiancé, reportedly to disrupt the marriage.
Police have registered a case and launched a manhunt; Gowda remains at large as of reporting.
Villagers protested and allegedly blocked the post-mortem until the accused was arrested.
The incident is among several family tragedy cases reported across Karnataka in recent months.
An engaged woman and her parents allegedly died by suicide after consuming poison in Mysuru district, Karnataka, on Monday, 22 June, in an incident reportedly linked to the circulation of her private photographs and videos. The deceased have been identified as Rakshita, whose wedding was scheduled for 24 June, and her parents, Shivanna and Nagaratna, residents of Kempaiyyanahundi village in T. Narasipura taluk.
What Happened
According to investigators, the accused — identified as Ullas Gowda — allegedly circulated Rakshita's private photographs and videos to her fiancé. Police say Gowda was known to the family and visited their home occasionally. Family members have alleged that he deliberately shared the material to disrupt the upcoming marriage, causing extreme harassment to the young woman.
The incident falls under the jurisdiction of Varuna Police Station. Authorities have registered a case and launched a manhunt for Gowda, who remains at large. Investigators are also examining how the accused obtained the private material in the first place.
Villagers Stage Protest, Block Post-Mortem
The deaths triggered immediate outrage in the village. Residents reportedly staged a protest demanding the immediate arrest of Gowda, and allegedly prevented police from shifting the bodies for post-mortem and other legal procedures until that demand was met. The situation underscored the depth of public anger over the incident.
A Pattern of Family Tragedies in Karnataka
This is not an isolated tragedy in the region. On 10 June, a 65-year-old garment trader in Mandya district allegedly killed his wife and son before ending his own life, reportedly leaving behind a suicide note citing mounting debts and business losses linked to the state's free bus travel scheme. The deceased were identified as Prabhakar (65), his wife Jyothi (55), and their son Santosh (28).
In March 2026, a 27-year-old man identified as Mohan Gowda allegedly slit the throats of his mother Asha (55) and sister Varshita (34), and critically injured Varshita's 11-year-old son Mayank, reportedly over mounting debt, before attempting suicide himself.
In February 2025, four members of a family — Chetan (45), a labour contractor; his wife Rupali (43); their son Kushal (15); and Chetan's mother Priyamvada (62) — were found dead in a Mysuru apartment in a suspected suicide pact.
Investigation Status
Police have registered a case and are pursuing further investigation, including tracking the accused Ullas Gowda. The manner in which the private content was obtained remains under scrutiny. As Karnataka's cyber and women's protection laws come under focus, authorities face pressure from the community to act swiftly.
Point of View
Yet India's legal framework against it remains fragmented. The IT Act's provisions and the BNS offer some recourse, but enforcement is patchy and awareness among victims is low. The fact that an entire family died three days before a wedding, and that villagers had to blockade a post-mortem to force police action, points to systemic failures in both digital safety and community trust in law enforcement. Karnataka's authorities must move beyond registering cases and demonstrate that cyber-harassment leading to death will be prosecuted with the full weight of the law.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who died in the Mysuru private photo leak suicide case?
The deceased are Rakshita , an engaged woman whose wedding was set for 24 June, and her parents Shivanna and Nagaratna , all residents of Kempaiyyanahundi village in T. Narasipura taluk, Mysuru. All three allegedly consumed poison on 22 June 2025.
Who is the accused in the Mysuru photo leak case?
The accused is Ullas Gowda , who was known to the family and allegedly circulated Rakshita's private photographs and videos to her fiancé. Family members allege he did so to disrupt the marriage. He remains at large and police have launched a manhunt.
What action have police taken so far?
Police under Varuna Police Station have registered a case and launched a manhunt for the accused Ullas Gowda. Investigators are also examining how Gowda obtained the private material. No arrest had been confirmed as of the time of reporting.
Why did villagers block the post-mortem?
Residents of the village staged a protest demanding the immediate arrest of Ullas Gowda, and reportedly prevented police from shifting the bodies for post-mortem until that demand was met, reflecting deep anger over the incident and perceived inaction.
Is non-consensual image sharing a crime in India?
Yes. Sharing intimate images without consent can attract charges under the Information Technology Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, enforcement remains inconsistent, and this case has renewed calls for stricter application of existing cyber-harassment laws.
