Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jun 13: Udupi district Ambedkar Yuvasene has warned that it will hold a strong protest if the accused, who it says had raped a Dalit girl and encouraged her to abort the pregnancy by promising to marry her, and also made derogatory remark about her caste later, is not arrested within a week.

A Dalit lady aged 20 from Vadabhandeshwara Thottam area within the municipal limits of Udupi had come to be acquainted with Akshay Shetty (23) from Karamballi, when the two were getting training in playing 'Chende' instrument. Misusing this friendship, Shetty reportedly had invited the lady to his house in the name of performing some puja on October 1, 2019. The Yuvasene alleges that when the lady came there, Shetty fed her with some intoxicant and then raped her.

The lady who came to senses after sometime, looking at the fact that she had no clothes on her body, began to weep. After she threatened Akshay with revealing about the rape to the police and others, Akshay reportedly apologised for his mistake and promised to marry her. He also threatened to kill the lady and her aunt if she filed complaint, it is said.

Relying on promise of marriage, the lady came closer to him and the two had physical relationship when his mother was not at home and at a room of Shivaprasad Complex at Tenkanidiyoor where Chende training was being imparted. After her menses was interrupted, Akshay took her to Lombard Memorial Hospital at Mission Compound where tests found that she had become pregnant. When she insisted on early marriage, Shetty assured to marry her and gave her some tablets which he collected from the hospital. As she experienced heavy bleeding after three days, he took her to Mission Hospital at Udupi on November 14, 2019.

Thereafter he slowly reduced meeting with her. She filed complaint against him in the women's police station where he executed a bond confirming that he will marry the lady concerned. He then failed to talk when she called over phone. On her insistence, he came to her courtyard on June 5 this year, charged her of belonging to a low caste, and threatened to murder her and her aunt if she insisted on marrying him. When he drew out a knife to stab her, she raised an alarm and rushed into her house. Her aunt came out, at which Akshay went away in his scooter, it is said.

On the basis of a complaint made in the women's police station here, a case was registered under Indian Penal Code and Scheduled Castes and Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989. Yuvasene says that the accused has not been arrested so far.

Honorary president of the organisation, Jayan Malpe, said that if the accused is not arrested within a week, protest will be held opposite Udupi district superintendent of police office duly following social distance norms.

Dalit leader Sundar Kappettu, Ambedkar Yuvasene president, Harish Salian Gunavanth Palan Thottam, Manjunath Kappettu and Sumit Raj Nergi were present.