Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Nov 30: District-in-charge minister U T Khader on Friday, November 30, rewarded Rs 1 lac for the police team for tracing the culprits of Thota Bengre gang rape case.

The city police who promptly acted once the complaint was filed were successful in arresting seven men including three minors. District-in-charge minister handed over the cheque of Rs 1 lac to Mangaluru city police commissioner T R Suresh.

The investigation team was led by city police commissioner T R Suresh, DCP’s Uma Prashanth, Hanumantharaya, Panambur inspector Rafeeq K M, Mangaluru women’s station police inspector Kalavathi, Panambur station PSI Umesh Kumar, Mangaluru north sub division anti rowdy squad officer ASI Mohammed, Kushala, Maniyani, Vijay Kanchan, Sathish M, Sharan Kali and Panambur station officer and staff.

U T Khader said, “We condemn the heinous crime. The Rs 1 lac which was rewarded was my personal money. I appreciate the act of police who collected the information and traced the culprits of gang rape. Action is taken against the cop who refused to file a complaint when the victim had approached him.”

He also said, “Compensation will be given for the victim under legal services authority. As of now Rs 4,12,000 has been given and the remaining Rs 4,13,000 will be given after the charge sheet is filed.”

When asked about his statement urging advocates not to defend the youth named in the gang rape case, U T Khader said, “There are some habitual offenders who do the crime again and again. Why I delivered this statement was because culprits are confident that they can come out easily from this crime and roam free. If lawyers won’t defend their cases they will have that psychological fear and I do not have any regret for my statement.”