Mysuru: Information that murder accused S. Indusekhar had dumped two bodies at Chamundi Hill had reportedly been circulating since Nov. 6. However, neither the Police nor its intelligence wing acted on the information, raising questions about the delay in tracing the bodies. 

Members of public have questioned why the City Police failed to conduct a search operation on the Hill and locate the bodies earlier. 

The search operation began only on Nov. 9, after information emerged that Indusekhar was being brought to Mysuru from Salem.  

The Forest Department and Mysuru City Police then launched a joint search operation and eventually found the bodies.  

The delay has since drawn criticism and raised questions about the response of both the Departments. 

What happened to ‘Operation Chamundi’? 

In 2022, the City Police relaunched ‘Operation Chamundi’ to curb illegal activities on roads leading to Chamundi Hill. Questions are now being raised about whether Police personnel failed to notice the foul smell from the decomposing bodies despite regular patrols. 

Star of Mysore tried to contact City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar for her comments, but she was unavailable. 

According to the investigation, Indusekhar dumped the two bodies in a gorge on Oct. 26. One of them was found close to a retaining wall. The bodies had remained at the spot for nearly 13 days before being recovered. 

They would have begun decomposing within a few days, emitting a strong foul smell. This has raised questions about the Forest Department’s claim that its personnel patrol Chamundi Hill every half hour.  

Members of the public are asking how the smell of two decomposing bodies could have gone unnoticed if such regular patrolling was indeed being carried out.