Home minister R Ashoka announced that none of the accused would be spared.
Promising tough action against the perpetrators of the attack on a homestay in Mangalore, the state government on Tuesday announced that it would bring habitual culprits, including local BJP corporator Subhash Padil, under the Anti-Goonda Act. Padil is believed to be the mastermind of the attack.
Home minister R Ashoka, while replying to the debate on the assault in legislative council, announced that none of the accused would be spared. So far, 15 accused have been arrested, with three of them landing in police net on Tuesday.
Ashoka informed that the culprits have been booked on charges of wrongful confinement, trespassing, assault, attempt to rape, dacoity and posing threat to life. He added that the culprits have also been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. “Obscenity is an offence and police are inquiring the victims,” he said.
Ashoka maintained that while initiating action, the future of the victims—especially women—had to be kept in mind. Dragging them to courts will further traumatise them.
“Our focus is to punish the sinners without harming the interests of the victims,” he added. Opposition leader SR Patil said he agreed with Ashoka.
Ashoka defended the action of the police and denied the allegations that they had colluded with the attackers. He said the police were informed about the incident only after the action was over. Though they reached the spot quickly, the culprits had fled. He said there was a 400-strong mob outside the homestay, ready to barge in and attack the victims. A few policemen who reached first managed to protect the victims, he claimed.
When additional forces arrived, the mob was quelled by lathicharge. Corporator Subhash Padil, who was inciting the mob, was taken into custody. “I appreciate the efforts of the police. AddlDGP Bipin Gopala Krishna will monitor the investigation of the incident and he will stay in Mangalore until the full investigation is done,” he said.
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