Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Nov 19: A man, who is accused of raping a minor Dalit girl, studying in 10th grade, was arrested by the police and produced in the Udupi court on Monday, November 19. The incident took place at Hangarakatte under Kota police station limits.

The accused, who raped the minor girl, is identified as Ashok Poojary (33), a resident of Hangarakatte.

Ashok Poojary has had an inter-caste marriage and has two children. However, he was suspicious of his wife's character and deserted her and was living with another woman in an apartment in Brahmavar as per the information shared by his close aides.

Ashok Poojary

On Sunday, November 17, Ashok enticed the minor Dalit girl, studying in 10th standard and took her in his I20 car to a secluded house at Moodadu, two km away from Sastan and raped her. A complaint is registered based on this statement of the victim girl. In addition, it is said that there were two others with Ashok when the rape took place. Investigation is on to trace them also.

Ashok Poojary, accused in this case, has criminal background and is accused in several criminal cases including illegal theft of trees and sand transportation. It is also learnt that he was involved in a case of illegal sand transportation, in which a head constable was assaulted by a gang of people.

Kota police, who arrested Ashok Poojary, have slapped POCSO and atrocity against Dalit cases on him. The Udupi court has remanded him to judicial custody.