Karkala: Rape on mentally challenged case; Accused gets 10 year imprisonment

Vartha Bharati | 25-09-2018 | 23:22:00 IST

Ganesh Poojary alias Annu

Udupi, September 25: The principal district and sessions court on Tuesday convicted an accused to 10 years imprisonment on charges of raping a mentally challenged woman two years ago in Karkala rural police station limits.

The convicted is identified as Ganesh Poojary alias Annu (34) of Kundrabettu in Kalya village in Karkala taluk. The convicted had raped the 18-year-old mentally challenged girl when she was alone at home on July 14, 2016. Later, he threatened her not to disclose it to the family members. Later, a case was filed against him at Karkala police station under Column 376 and 506.

After investigation, Karkala Circle Inspector Joy Antony arrested the convicted on July 15, 2016 and filed charge sheet to the court. District Judge C. Venkatesh Naik who heard 21 witnesses out of 27, convicted Ganesh on September 24 and posted the announcement of quantum of punishment to September 25.

On Tuesday morning, the judge awarded 10 years jail term and slapped a fine of Rs 10,000. The Judge also ordered to give Rs 25,000 compensation to the victim. District public prosecutor Shanti Bai argued for the victim.

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First-ever life-size Vivekananda statue in US unveiled in Seattle

12-04-2026 ¦ 12-04-2026 IST

Photo: PTI

New York (PTI): The first-ever life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda in the US was unveiled in Seattle, honouring the renowned Indian philosopher and spiritual leader.

The life-size bronze statue, installed at the busy Westlake Square in downtown Seattle, is the first such installation hosted by a city government anywhere in the US, officials said.

Sculpted by Indian artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat, it was jointly unveiled on Saturday by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta.

"From Chicago 1893 to Seattle 2026! Seattle's skyline has a new Indian icon: Swami Vivekananda! City of Seattle becomes the first city government to host the Swami Vivekananda Monument in the heart of downtown Seattle," the Consulate General of India in Seattle said in a social media post.

Addressing the event, Wilson said the monument reflects Seattle's inclusive spirit and strengthens cultural ties between India and the diverse metropolitan tech hub in the US Pacific Northwest.

The statue has been gifted by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) to the City of Seattle in recognition of its "in recognition of the city’s rich multicultural character and spirit of inclusivity", the Indian mission in Seattle said in a statement.

The unveiling of the statue was held on the occasion of the celebration of ICCR Day and is part of India's broader cultural diplomacy initiatives aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties between India and the US Pacific Northwest, the Consulate said.

Located at the bustling Westlake Square, which sees over 400,000 visitors daily, the monument stands near prominent landmarks including the Amazon headquarters ‘Spheres’, the Seattle Convention Centre and the Seattle Centre Monorail.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by several local leaders, including mayors from cities in the Greater Seattle area, community representatives and members of the Indian-American diaspora.

Swami Vivekananda had delivered his historic address at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, introducing Hindu philosophy to a global audience.