Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Dec 28: A person who reportedly tried to rape a fourth standard girl student, was arrested by the police personnel of Dharmasthala station on Tuesday December 27. The accused has been identified as Umesh (25), an auto rickshaw driver.

Reportedly, the girl was alone with her younger sister at home, when the accused tried to rape her. The incident is said to have occurred on December 24.

The girl happens to be a resident of Mapalaje in Nidle village. Umesh reportedly entered her house illegally before attempting this heinous crime. The girl shouted for help, at which the accused is said to have threatened the girl against passing on this information to others, before escaping. The mother of the girl lodged a police complaint on the same. It is said that the family was under pressure from Bajrang Dal, of which Umesh happens to be an activist, not to file police complaint, and that there was delay in registering the complaint.

The Dharmasthala police have booked the accused under different provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Reportedly, efforts are on to save Umesh, a close associate of Bajrang Dal leader from Dharmasthala, Bhaskar, from getting punished for this offence. Bajrang Dal activists are stated to be making efforts to dissuade the complainants from pursuing the case.

As per information, the complaint was made on December 24 itself, but under pressure from interested quarters, Dharmasthala police were trying to bail out the accused. However, deputy superintendent of police (DySP), Ravish C R, who came to know about this development, visited Dharmasthala police station, took to task the police for their lapse and instructed them to file the case, it is said.

The accused has been remanded to 15 days judicial custody. DySP Ravish and circle inspector, Nagesh Kadri, are investigating the case.