Police rapped for handling of rape case

The tribal woman from Hirehalli B Colony Haadi was apparently offered a compensation of Rs 500 by the elders of the village following the rape.
After visiting the victim at the hospital, the Deputy Commissioner directed the police inspector of H D Kote to book a criminal case against the village elders for ‘concealing’ the rape under the garb of holding an inquiry into the incident through a community panchayat.

The taluk administration was directed to immediately shift the victim to the district hospital for treatment.

Two youths, Lokesh and Shivanna are accused of raping her. The officials concerned were taken to task for not informing the district administration about the heinous act even nine days after the incident.

The doctors were also reprimanded for not sending samples to the Forensic Sciences Laboratory to establish whether the woman had been raped or not. They were directed to offer psychiatric help to the victim. Once she regains consciousness, the police have been directed to record her statement about the accused and also those who tried to hush up the matter.

He also asked the officials to submit a detailed report at the earliest so that action could be initiated against the accused and those who shielded them.