Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Mar 4: On the basis of a complaint of sexual harassment filed by a minor girl in the police station here on Sunday March 3, the police have arrested Ashok Acharya (31), a resident of Kapinadka House, Tenka Karandoor village in the taluk.

The victim happens to be a 17-year-old PU student. Documents relating to her father's land dispute had been given to the accused, it has been claimed. The accused had assured the girl and her father that he would be able to settle the dispute. Acharya, it is said, maintained cordial relationship with the family of the victim. He reportedly invited the girl to his office for studying during the school holidays.

Ashok Acharya

The complainant began to go to Acharya's office with effect from July 9 last year. During this period, he inappropriately touched her and tried to rape her. When the complainant resisted, he threatened to sully her image by writing about her in local dailies.

The girl stopped going to his office thereafter. When she reached Guruvayanakere at 8.45 am on January 21 this year by bus and was proceeding towards a bus to go to Punjalkatte, Acharya suddenly approached her and asked her to accompany him in an auto rickshaw. He took her to Punjalkatte college where too he reportedly meted out sexual harassment to the girl.

The police have registered case under sections 8 and 12 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and sections 354 and 504 of Indian Penal Code against the accused.

Further investigation has been undertaken.