Medical report confirms 'sexual assault'

Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Prathap Reddy, on Wednesday, said the medical report of the gang-rape victim confirmed ‘sexual assault by the gang.’

Briefing reporters, he said the report was procured by the police department from the Kasturba Medical College Hospital.

“There are valuable evidences that help us establish the identity of the accused.” The field level investigation and technical aspects have helped to shortlist 22 to 23 suspects and interrogate them, he said.

Varsity to give Rs 3 lakh

The Manipal University has written to the department, offering a cash award of Rs three lakh to anyone giving information about the suspect. The identity of the informer will be kept a secret. The police department has announced a cash prize of Rs two lakh to the informer. Thus, a total of Rs five lakh will be given.

The IGP said the department is following important clues based on the CCTV footage. The clippings have been shown to autorickshaw manufacturers and autorickshaw drivers for additional information.

The auto drivers detained for questioning are from in and around Udupi-Manipal. It is a collective decision taken by the family of the victim not to reveal anything to the police. It is a major hindrance in the process of investigation, Reddy said. The official said Kundapur Deputy Superintendent of Police Yashoda S W is the only link between the victim’s doctors and the police.

The university is co-operating with the department in the investigation. Attempts are being made to contact the victim, but in vain. However, the department will refrain from forceful interaction with the victim. The department is trying to convince her family through doctors, the IGP said.

Reddy declined to share additional details procured by the department in connection with the case. He said, “We cannot keep it in the public domain as it will be detrimental to the investigation.”

The official said although there are valuable clues, it is difficult to set a timeframe to nab the culprits. The official said the department is definite about the crime spot.

“We are 99 per cent sure of it. However, the remaining one per cent is solely dependent on the victim. She should confirm the area of crime. The speed of the auto as recorded in the CCTV footage indicates that the auto driver is a professional driver,” he said.