Udupi: Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar has clarified the sequence of events in the case involving Pradeep Poojary and a young woman, stating that five special teams have been formed to trace and arrest those accused of assaulting Pradeep in the latest incident.

Addressing the media, the SP warned against taking the law into one’s own hands and cautioned people against circulating defamatory content about the survivor on social media. He said the police had identified around 150 social media accounts allegedly involved in spreading such material and misinformation.

SP outlines sequence of three incidents

According to Hariram Shankar, the woman first lodged a complaint against Pradeep on November 10, 2025, alleging that he had threatened to kill her if she refused to marry him. Pradeep was arrested in connection with the complaint.

The SP said that after securing bail, Pradeep allegedly took the woman to a place called Doddapade on the morning of November 29, 2025, where he threatened to kill and raped her.

According to the police, the rape allegation was established based on the woman’s statement and medical records. Charge sheets have been filed in both cases, the SP said.

The third incident reportedly occurred on November 28, 2026. Police said Pradeep allegedly attempted to kill the woman when she stepped out after taking a bath. He also allegedly threw chilli powder at her mother.

The SP said an audio recording contained Pradeep allegedly stating clearly that he had come to kill the woman. He rejected claims that Pradeep had been kidnapped, describing them as far from the truth.

Medical records were also available to confirm that the woman and her mother were admitted to a hospital following the incident, he said.

Pradeep allegedly assaulted by woman’s relatives

According to the SP, the woman’s mother called her relatives to the spot after the incident. Around seven to eight people allegedly assaulted Pradeep.

Police personnel reached the location and shifted Pradeep to hospital, he said.

The SP also disclosed that the complaint concerning the assault on Pradeep was initially registered only as a non-cognisable (NC) report instead of an FIR.

Taking note of the lapse, the department has suspended the concerned sub-inspector, and a departmental inquiry is underway.

A separate complaint alleging abetment to suicide has also been registered in connection with the case.

Five teams formed to trace accused

The SP said five special teams had been constituted to trace and arrest those accused of assaulting Pradeep. Police were making sincere efforts to apprehend them, he added.

However, he stressed that no individual or group had the right to take the law into their own hands, irrespective of the circumstances.

The police would proceed according to the law, and those responsible for the assault would face action, he indicated.

SP warns against social media trial of survivor

Expressing concern over developments on social media over the preceding two days, Hariram Shankar said it was unfortunate that the young woman was being subjected to a public trial.

He said the charge sheets had been filed based on facts established during the investigation. Despite this, photographs of the survivor, including private photographs, were being circulated online with the alleged intention of defaming her.

“This is illegal and will invite legal action,” the SP warned.

He said the police had already identified around 150 social media accounts allegedly involved in circulating defamatory content about the woman.

The SP cautioned users against sharing unverified information or making defamatory posts without establishing the facts. Strict legal action would be initiated against those found responsible, he said.

The SP’s statement comes amid growing public discussion surrounding the case. He urged people to refrain from spreading unverified claims, circulating private images or engaging in online harassment, and allow the legal process to take its course.