Girl shot dead in Bengaluru school

Bengaluru: An 18-year-old girl student was shot dead in her school premises here by an office attendant for spurning his advances, police said on Wednesday.

"We have registered a case against the accused (Mahesh, 30) who is absconding from the school, and have set up three special teams to hunt him down," city police commissioner M.N. Reddi told reporters here.

Gauthami was a student of second year pre-university course at Pragathi school in the city's eastern suburb and was staying in the girls hostel as she hailed from Pavagada in Tumakuru district, about 70 km from here.

"According to the girl's friend Sirisha, who was injured in the firing, the attacker barged into the third floor hostel room of Gauthami around 11 p.m. on Tuesday and opened fire at her as she opened the door on hearing a knock," Reddi said.

Though what provoked Mahesh to shoot the girl is being investigated, police suspect that Mahesh had fired at her for spurning his advances and rejecting his love.

"We have learnt from the school authorities that Mahesh was working in the school the past two years," Reddi added.