Daijiworld Media Network – Haveri
Haveri, May 24: The seven main accused in the Hanagal gang-rape case, who were recently released on bail, have been sent back to jail after a video of them celebrating their release with a roadshow and DJ music went viral. The police have rearrested all seven following the cancellation of their bail by the court.
Soon after being granted bail in the high-profile gang-rape case, the accused – Aftab Chandanakatti, Madarsab Mandakki, Samivulla Lalanavar, Mohammad Sadiq Agasimani, Shoaib Mulla, Tausif Choti, and Riyaz Savikeri – were released from the Haveri sub-jail three days ago. In a shocking turn of events, they paraded through their hometown of Akkihal, about 30 km away, in a convoy of cars and bikes accompanied by DJ music, flashing victory signs along the way.
Their celebratory procession, involving over 10 cars and 30 bikes, was recorded and widely circulated on social media, sparking public outrage. The viral videos prompted the judiciary to take swift action, with the court cancelling the bail of all seven accused. In response, Haveri police took them back into custody and returned them to the sub-jail.
According to police superintendent Anshu Kumar S, the court cancelled the bail on grounds of violation of bail conditions. He stated, "The seven accused, who had recently secured bail in the gang-rape case, participated in an unlawful celebratory procession and violated bail norms. All of them have rowdy sheets against their names at Hanagal police station."
A case has now been registered under Sections 189(2), 191(2), 281, 351(2), 351(3), and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)-2023 for conducting an illegal procession. Hanagal police have confirmed the identities of all the accused in the video after a detailed review.
The gang-rape case dates back to January 8, 2024, when a couple was staying at a private hotel in Haveri. The accused abducted a 26-year-old woman from the hotel and took her to a nearby forest, where she was gang-raped. Police arrested 19 suspects in connection with the case.
While 12 of them were granted bail around ten months ago, the bail pleas of the seven main accused were repeatedly denied. However, three days ago, the additional district and sessions court of Haveri granted bail to the remaining seven, citing the survivor’s inability to identify them and the failure to retain her statement recorded before the magistrate.
Those granted bail were Aftab Chandanakatti, Madarsab Mandakki, Samivulla Lalanavar, Mohammad Sadiq Agasimani, Shoaib Mulla, Tausif Choti, and Riyaz Savikeri.