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Increase convictions in rape cases: HC

Last Updated 26 November 2014, 05:00 IST

The High Court on Tuesday asked the government to focus on measures to increase the conviction rate in sexual abuse cases as the suspects are acquitted in nearly 90 per cent of the cases.

Hearing a PIL on action taken by the government in providing medical and financial benefits to rape victims by creating a single window agency, a division bench headed by Chief Justice D H Waghela asked the government to gather details about recent cases of sexual abuse and the conviction and acquittal rates.

“If the victim receives the monetary compensation and turns hostile in the court, the accused will be acquitted. After initiating prosecution, it is the duty of the State to ensure that the accused is prosecuted,” the bench observed.

‘Revoke MD’s suspension’
The High Court has directed the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) to revoke the suspension of I R Ramalinge Gowda.  A division bench comprising Justices K L Manjunath and Ravi Malimath allowed  Gowda’s appeal. 

KMF had suspended Ramalinge Gowda in 2011, following allegations of a scam. Gowda challenged his suspension, but his plea was rejected by the single bench. He appealed before the division bench. It was learnt that KMF had not taken permission from National Dairy Development Board to conduct an inquiry against Gowda. As KMF had not conducted any investigation into the scam, the bench directed KMF to revoke his suspension.

Basis for medical test
The High Court has observed that it would like to know the basis on which the investigating officer had formulated and recommended for a medical test to be conducted on Raghaveshwara Bhar­at­i, the head of Ramachandrapura Mutt, who has been booked for rape.

Justice A N Venugopala Gowda made the observation while hearing the arguments of the prosecution in the case. The seer’s advocates are objecting to the medical examination.
Advocate General Ravivarma Kumar said that it was the discretion of the medical officer to conduct the tests as per the investigating officer’s requirement and that details about the kind of tests cannot be disclosed.

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(Published 26 November 2014, 05:00 IST)

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