Udupi, November 19: Parents of a 13 year girl protested after she went missing from Sharada Residential School, Kunjibettu, Udupi on Wednesday November 19th.
Eshika Shetty (13), a student of class-8 reportedly went missing from the school’s hostel premises on Saturday evening November 15th.
Eshika is the daughter of Shekar and Yashoda Shetty from Yellinje, Mulky. Her parents are residing in Muscat and have arrived here after they were informed that their daughter has gone missing. Since past two years, Eshika was studying in Sharada Residential School.
Principal of the school Vidyavanta Acharya speaking to the media said, on November 15th there was a basketball match from 6 pm to 8 pm, and around 600 students including Eshika had come to watch. “Some time later, Eshika complained of headache and left for her hostel room. A teacher stopped her on the way and queried where she was going, and Eshika replied that she was suffering from headache and wish to rest in her room. The teacher then went on her way while Eshika went towards her room,” said the principal.
At around 8.15 pm post the match, the students arrived at the dining hall and were given their cell phones to call home and speak to their parents. When the teachers went to her room to give her cell phone to call back home, they realized that she went missing, and a search was launched, said the principal.
However, Eshika was found nowhere even after a thorough search of the premises, and at around 10.45 pm, the school officials filed a missing complaint with the cops.
The cops during investigation have traced her diary, and from its contents, it is reportedly surmised that she was interested in films, music and dance, and aspired to become an actress, said the sources.
On November 16th the search continued and her footwear and clothes, a red t-shirt and a white skirt, were found near the compound wall between the school and its hostel. It is suspected that she might have changed her clothes before going missing.
Parents of the girl have lodged a complaint at Mulky police station.
Aound 50-60 members including Eshika’s parents, family members and parents of other children came to the school on Wednesday and urged the school authorities to take quick actions. They alleged that the school management had acted late and had failed in its responsibility. They also demanded resignation of the watchman or be fired for negligence of duty.
A case has been registered by Udupi town police and investigations underway.
