Karnataka Records 1,211 Murders in 2025, Mysuru City Reports 18 Cases

Karnataka witnessed a total of 1,211 murders in the year 2025, including 18 cases in Mysuru City, with disputes and personal enmity emerging as the primary triggers for these violent incidents. This data was presented by Home Minister G Parameshwara in the Assembly during a recent session, in response to a question raised by Chamarajanagar MLA Puttarangashetty.

Steady Decline in Murder Cases Across the State

Police records indicate a consistent downward trend in murder cases over the past few years. The numbers show a gradual reduction from 1,404 cases in 2022 to 1,322 in 2023, 1,228 in 2024, and finally 1,211 in 2025. This decline reflects ongoing efforts to curb violent crime, although the figures remain concerning.

An analysis of the motives behind these murders reveals that disputes accounted for the highest number of cases, followed closely by personal enmity and illicit relationships. These factors highlight the interpersonal and social tensions that often escalate into fatal violence.

Mysuru City Sees Drop in Murder Incidents

Mysuru City has also experienced a decrease in murder cases, with numbers falling from 23 in 2021 to 18 in 2025. The city recorded 25 murders in 2022, 30 in 2023, and 22 in 2024, showing fluctuations but an overall downward trajectory.

Mysuru City Commissioner of Police Seema Latkar explained to Times of India that many cases stemmed from quarrels where minor provocations quickly escalated into deadly confrontations. Police also registered murders arising from civil and family disputes, particularly those related to property conflicts. Additionally, dowry-related violence led to three murders in 2025, while killings linked to adultery and lover intrigue accounted for four cases in Mysuru City that year.

High-Profile Incidents Highlight Public Concerns

Several high-profile cases have drawn public attention and heightened anxiety. One such incident involved the rape and murder of a minor girl, reported just days after the Mysuru Dasara celebrations in October 2025. This crime sparked widespread outrage and concern over safety.

In other notable cases, two youths were murdered due to personal enmity: Karthik in Mysuru and Venkatesha near Doddakere Maidan in Mysuru City. Another tragic event saw a jilted lover detained for killing a 20-year-old mother in a lodge in Saligrama, Mysuru district, using an electrical object.

District-Level Patterns and Broader Implications

Additional Superintendent of Police C Mallik noted that disputes, dowry demands, illicit relationships, drunken brawls, and property quarrels remained the most common motives behind murders reported in the district. Police sources added that the diversity of motives suggests most murders are not premeditated but arise from volatile disputes, unresolved enmity, and broader socio-economic tensions.

This pattern underscores the need for proactive measures to address underlying social issues and prevent conflicts from turning violent. The data serves as a crucial reminder of the challenges in maintaining law and order, even as overall numbers show improvement.