Manipal victim declines to cooperate: Cops

 Police are seriously contemplating seeking legal opinion on how to proceed in the Manipal medical student’s gang-rape case as the victim and her family members are not coming forward to cooperate with the authorities in taking the case forward.

Interestingly, neither the fourth-year medical student nor her family has lodged a formal complaint with the police on the June 20 incident, where the girl was allegedly abducted from Kasturba Medical College campus in an autorickshaw and raped. She was returning to her paying guest accommodation from the library.

As the police arrested one person and nabbed two others involved in the crime on Thursday, deposition of the victim is crucial for them to proceed.

When contacted by Deccan Herald, Superintendent of Police M B Boralingaiah said they had ample evidence to nail the accused. However, it would be of immense help if the victim came forward to identify the accused and testified before the court. Then, the charge sheet could be filed. The accused have admitted to the crime. “We would prefer to go for a legal opinion. It is very difficult to say at present that how the case will proceed. There are scientific evidences and technical proof on which we can rely upon.  However, it would be easier if the victim comes forward to testify,” he added.

The Police, who succeeded in nabbing the accused seven days after the crime, know that they have a tough job in hand since the victim is not agreeing to identify the accused and testify in the court. “This is the most complicated case that is being handled by investigating officials. In such cases, the victim’s role is important,” a top official admitted.   

However, neither the victim nor her family could be contacted.

Still, such cases have been pursued. If the victim and the family refuse to cooperate, the investigating team will have to gather more evidence to convince the court.

Even as the police continued to gather more evidence, Hariprasad Poojary, one of the accused, was produced before the additional civil judge (senior division) court here, who sent him to five days’ police custody.

Boralingaiah said other two accused, Yogesh Poojary and Anand, who attempted suicide, have not been technically arrested as they were admitted to the hospital directly. Yogesh is in a critical condition, Anand is out of danger.

The police had sought 10 days’ custody.
Boralingaiah said they were trying to persuade the victim to cooperate with the authorities. “We are hopeful that the family of the victim will cooperate with the investigating officials,” he added.

However, Dakshina Kannada SP Abhishek Goyal, who is part of the investigation team, said there were instances where the victim died or was not available for identification due to poor health.