Udupi: Family of stabbed girl, DSS leaders blame police, issue deadline
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SM/UM)
Udupi, Nov 29: A day after 20-year-old Ranjitha was stabbed to death by her neighbour Yogesh after she refused to reciprocate his feelings for her, Ranjitha's family along with leaders of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) and Jaya Karnataka staged a protest outside SP's office here on Thursday November 28 demanding immediate arrest of Yogesh as well as his family, and issued a deadline of 24 hours to the police.
They also blamed police inefficiency for the incident and demanded the suspension of Malpe SI Jayant, who they said had failed to take suitable action despite complaint from the girl's family two months ago. Ranjitha and her family had given a complaint on September 28, for which the police had responded in writing on October 1, stating that action would be taken against Yogesh if he troubled the girl again.
A week ago, the family had also written to the DC complaining against the youth, the family said.
The protestors alleged that a local gram panchayat member was putting pressure on police to drop the case and also issuing threats to the girl's family for complaining against the absconding youth.
DSS Udupi district convener Ramesh Kotian said that Malpe was a sensitive area and instead of deploying fearless and duty-conscious police personnel, a person who has 'blood pressure and sugar problems and who easily bogs down under pressure' was deputed as sub-inspector.
The protestors were also angry that the police had released thr youth's uncle Rajkumar within a day of taking him into custody, as he complained of low blood pressure. The alleged that he had been released due to political pressure.
"The entire family should be arrested as they did not do anything to control the youth despite giving assurances to the police," they demanded.
The DSS held police failure responsible for the stabbing incident and put the blame squarely on the Malpe SI, SP and the DC. They gave the police a deadline of 24 hours to nab Yogesh, failing which they would intensify their protest.
DSS state convener M Devadas said that though complaint against the youth was given on September 28, no FIR was lodged. He said that a memorandum has been given to the SP demanding immediate arrest of Yogesh. The memorandum also demanded that the government give compensation of Rs 10 lac to the family as they had high hopes from the deceased girl to support the family.
SP Dr Boralingaiah who arrived at the spot assured that absconding youth would be arrested soon. The police have formed three teams to nab Yogesh.