Updated
Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 18: The 20-year-old woman who was foumd unconcious in Ullal has alleged that she was gang raped by three men near the banks of the Nethravathi river at Kottarimule, Munnur under Ullal police station limits in the early hours of Thursday, April 18. The woman has been identified as a native of West Bengal.
The accused – an auto rickshaw driver from Mulki and his two associates from Kumpala and Mangaluru – have been arrested by the Ullal police. The arrested are identified as Prabhuraj (38), an auto driver from Mulki, Mithun (30), an electrician from Kumpala, and Mani (30), a resident of Mangaluru.
According to police sources, the survivor, who hails from Cooch Behar in West Bengal, had been working in a plywood company in Kerala for the past two to three years. She arrived in Mangaluru on Apr 16 along with her friend to explore a job opportunity in another firm. However, a dispute broke out between them, during which her phone was damaged.
She later boarded an auto to get her phone repaired. The driver, Prabhuraj, reportedly accompanied her throughout the day and paid for the repairs. She developed a sense of trust and requested him to drop her at the railway station that night, as she planned to return to West Bengal.
Instead of taking her to the railway station, Prabhuraj allegedly picked up his two friends and drove to a secluded area near the riverbank. There, she was allegedly offered alcohol. The woman has stated in her complaint that she lost consciousness, and when she regained awareness, she realised she had been sexually assaulted. She later raised an alarm, prompting the trio to flee the spot.
The woman managed to contact the police with the help of local residents. The police control room received a distress call around 1.30 am, following which a Hoysala team rushed to the spot and shifted the woman to the police station and later to a hospital for medical attention.
According to police commissioner Anupam Agarwal, the medical examination report is awaited to confirm the allegations. He said the police acted swiftly based on the woman’s statement and registered a case under relevant sections, including rape.
Initial investigation revealed that the auto driver had picked up the woman around 2.30 pm on Apr 17. The alleged assault took place later that night. Based on CCTV footage and other evidence, the trio was tracked and arrested.
Further investigation is underway.
Earlier Report
Young woman found in semi-conscious state in Ullal; gang rape attempt suspected
Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 17: A young woman was found in a semi-conscious state within the jurisdiction of the Ullal police station, bearing injuries all over her body. Suspecting an attempted gang rape, Ullal police have launched an investigation into the incident.
The victim, who is reportedly from another state, was found late at night in an intoxicated state knocking on the door of a local residence. She collapsed on the spot while asking for water. The residents immediately alerted the police by calling 112.
Upon arriving at the scene, the police rushed the woman to a hospital for treatment. According to sources, she was unable to speak due to intoxication and had multiple injury marks on her body.
It is reported that there is an abandoned house in the locality, and it is a known spot for drug addicts who frequent the place late at night. On the night of the incident, a group of four individuals was allegedly present there. However, they reportedly fled the scene when the woman approached the neighbouring house.
Police have begun questioning the woman, who is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital. However, she has not yet provided any information due to her semi-conscious state.
Police commissioner Anupam Agrawal has visited the scene and is overseeing the investigation.