Bantwal: Sonawane Rishikesh Bhagawan, Superintendent of Police (SP) confirmed the arrest of four suspects in connection with the gangrape of a minor girl on Sunday October 10, a day after Dakshina Kannada police apprehended four suspects in connection with the gangrape of a minor girl.
During a press meet he stated, “The victim filed a complaint with the Bantwal town Police Station on October 8. According to the complaint, we have filed cases under sections 366a, 376d, and 506 of the IPC, as well as sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act.”
According to the complaint, the accused, K. S. Sharath Shetty, was known to the victim. While she was on her way to school, he and four people arrived in a white sedan and kidnapped her around 8.30 am. SP informed that they took her to a secluded area, where she was sexually attacked by two people.
Following the girl’s complaint, the police started a quick investigation under the supervision of Assistant Superintendent of Police Shivanshu Rajput, Inspector T. D. Nagaraj, PSI Avinash, and their team.
“We arrested four suspects through the investigation and they are Sharath Shetty, Maruti Manjunath, lodge manager Sathish, and Hidayatulla. Sharath Shetty was found to have been in contact with the victim on Facebook and WhatsApp. Maruti Manjunath has been in contact with the victim through WhatsApp for the past 15 days.”
“Maruti Manjunath and Sharath were known to each other, and the latter introduced him to the girl. Maruti had taken advantage of the friendship by sending explicit messages to the girl. Later, Sharath invited the girl to Mangaluru. Sharath met the girl when she arrived in Mangaluru by bus and drove her to the resort, explaining he needed to rest.”
Sharath and Hidayathulla sexually exploited the girl in the lodge. The girl was also sexually harassed by the lodge manager Sathish, who provided the accommodation. “All four have been arrested and will appear before the magistrate,” added the SP.
