Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (MS)
Karkala, Aug 25: The Udupi JMFC court has remanded two of the accused in the gang rape case of a 21-year-old girl in Aiyyapana Nagara to police custody for four days.
The accused, Altaf and Xavier Richard Quadros, are currently in custody. The victim is receiving advanced medical treatment at Manipal Hospital. The heinous crime has been condemned by all communities, including Hindus and Muslims.
The victim was employed at the Apiculture Unit in Aiyappa Nagara. She became acquainted with tipper driver Altaf three months ago on Instagram. Both live in nearby areas; Altaf resides in Kukkundoor village.
Altaf reportedly lured the victim to a secluded place, where he then took her in his car. She was allegedly given alcohol laced with drugs and raped. Shraved Richard Quadros, who supplied the liquor, has also been arrested. It is believed that four people were involved in the crime, and police are currently searching for the two absconding suspects.
On Friday afternoon, Altaf took the victim to Palli, about 15 to 18 km from her workplace. He allegedly deceived her into believing he owned a plot there and led her into a forested area where two others were waiting. After being given a drug-laced drink, she was sexually assaulted while under the influence. The victim began screaming, and Altaf drove her back home. On the way, she vomited and was semi-conscious when she arrived. Her family members and locals later admitted her to the hospital.
Whether the girl was gang-raped will be confirmed after a comprehensive medical report and her statement before a judicial officer. Her family members stated that doctors confirmed sexual assault during a physical examination. A case has been registered at Karkala City Police Station based on a complaint filed by the victim's mother.
Accused Altaf, who is married and originally from North India, was a tipper truck driver and had lived in rented houses in Pattonjikatte Kabettu, Jodurasthe, and Kukkundoor. Shraved Richard Quadros, the other accused, is a resident of Ranganapalke and previously worked as a private bus driver before switching to driving a tipper truck. Both were reportedly involved in illegal sand trafficking and led a lavish lifestyle involving alcohol, narcotics, and drug supply.
The victim's father works as a stonebreaker. It is reported that Altaf, who also operated a sand business, was acquainted with the victim's father, and the two frequently associated with each other.
Altaf has a history of offenses, including a case of sexually harassing a girl in Banglegudde five years ago. During that incident, his mobile phone contained photos and videos of many girls. Locals beat him up at the time but did not file a police complaint.
There is also suspicion that a drug mafia may be involved in the gang rape. The public has widely appreciated the police for their swift action in arresting two suspects within 24 hours.
Girl was drugged, type and origin of substance will be traced: SP
Udupi district SP Dr Arun K said, "The blood test report of the young woman has come back positive for narcotic substances. The blood test report of the first accused, Altaf, came back negative, and the blood test report of the second accused, who brought the beer bottle, also came back negative. Since the young woman's blood sample tested positive for a narcotic substance, Altaf, the accused, was taken into custody yesterday for questioning. During interrogation, he showed a powder in the car and claimed that the girl had consumed it. We are sending this powder to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to verify what type of drug it is and to compare if it matches the substance the girl consumed. A separate case has been registered at the Karkala Town Police Station regarding this matter. A case has been filed under Crime Number 146/24, Section 8(c), 22(b) of the NDPS Act, and Section 3(5) of the BNS to investigate where the drug came from and how it was obtained. We will conduct a thorough investigation to trace the origin of the drug and solve this case as soon as possible. The victim has yet to give her statement in front of a judge, and once she is medically fit, she will be presented before the judiciary. The investigation into this rape case will be completed as quickly as possible."