People vent ire on police over rising sexual assault cases

Public vented their anger against police officials and staff, at a discussion held by expert committee to suggest amendments to laws related to sexual assault cases and enhancement of punishment for the crime, at Fort Hall in Madikeri on Tuesday.

People complained of negligent attitude by the police in registering FIR and releasing sexual assault culprits, succumbing to political influence and mental harassment to women subject to sexual assault etc.

Speaking on the occasion, a woman member said a four year old child was assaulted sexually several years ago  at Shanivarasanthe and the police refused to register the FIR. The case was registered only after women organisations picketed the police station. Moreover, the accused was released by the interference of political leaders, they alleged.

Lack of cooperation

A representative of a NGO said that a child marriage was being done in Hebbale in Somvarpet taluk recently and the NG informed the department of women and child welfare. But, when the child development office and police visited the spot, the culprits projected a married couple, to play a hoax on the official and NGO members. When the NGO members requested the police to carry out an investigation the police escaped from their responsibility, the representative said and complained that on many occasions, police case will not be registered and if registered also, the police do not provide the copy of FIR.

The police officials in Virajpet and Gonikoppa treat the NGO members very rudely.
Expert committee Chairman M C Nanaiah said that police will have the responsibility to check the truth behind the complaints. There are several instances where NGOs lodge false cases, to blackmail people.

Sexual harassment

Speaking on the occasion a sexual minority said that when an application was submitted to Kushalnagar Town Panchayat Revenue inspector, for a certificate, in order to avail a government benefit, the official behaved indecently with her and other women. He made to wander to the office for several months and one day tore off the application, she said. Also, a sexual minority was stripped off and her photo was clicked at Madikeri police station recently, she alleged.

A retired officer from the department of women and child welfare said in case of sexual assault on a minor girl at Karike several years back, officials from the department handed over the accused to police.

During court investigation, question asked by lawyers in the court were inhumane and were mentally harassing, she said. She said the accused has been released and there is no protection to retired officials.

Expert Committee Chairman M C Nanaiah, Sub committee Chairperson Motamma, members Rani Sathish, Jeeja Hari Singh, Kripa Alva, K S Vimala, Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari, Superintendent of Police Varthika Katiyar, Zilla Panchayat CEO Kurma Rao and others were present.