Kumta: A couple working as school teachers allegedly committed suicide by hanging themselves from a tree in forest area on Yana Road near Bellanke village in Kumta taluk of Uttara Kannada district. The bodies were found in a decomposed state on Wednesday.

According to Kumta police, the deceased have been identified as Vittal Yellappa Subbannanavar (31) of Salagaon village in Mundagod taluk and Pragna P S (25) of Bantawal in Dakshina Kannada district. The couple were working as teachers in a private school in Mundagod and were missing from March 3. The reason for the suicide is not yet known.

While Vittal worked as a drawing teacher, Pragna taught science in Loyola Vikas Kendra in Karaginakoppa near Mundagod. They were in love for the last couple of years. Pragna’s mother was against their affair due to caste issues.

A complaint was filed at Mundagod police station on March 9 by Pragna’s mother stathing that her daughter was in love with Vittal and she was missing. It is suspected that the couple might have committed suicide 15 days ago.

Kumta circle-inspector said the duo came on their two-wheeler to forest area on Yana road and committed suicide. The police have recovered bodies, their twowheelers and a death note. “We can’t reveal the content of the death note as it is under investigation. The deceased parents are heading to Kumta, once they arrive, post-mortem will be conducted,” he added.