Mangaluru; College student abduction and rape case: Rapist gets 7 years rigorous imprisonment
Mangaluru, June 20: The 6th additional principal and district sessions court on Wednesday sentenced a person to seven years rigorous imprisonment on charges of introducing himself to a college student through WhatsApp, abducted and raped her.
The convicted is identified as Irshad (27) of Kuminadka in Bantwal taluk.
Though the rape allegation was confirmed on Tuesday, the judge reserved the verdict for Wednesday. Under IPC Section 366 (abduction), Irshad has to undergo three years rigorous imprisonment and pay Rs 5000 penalty. If he failed to pay penalty, he has to undergo two months additional imprisonment. In rape charges under Section 376, he has to undergo seven years rigorous imprisonment and pay a penalty of Rs 10,000 and if failed to pay the penalty, he should undergo three months additional imprisonment. In the illegal detention charges under Section 342, and threatening under Section 506, he should undergo additional three months and four months imprisonment respectively, the judge said.
About the incident
An 18-year-old girl studying in a college was included into a WhatsApp group by her friend. In the same group, she was introduced to another student called Rafa. Though the student left the WhatsApp group, Rafa used to message her and she used to respond to those messages. After some days, Rafa wished her for her birthday and informed her to accept a flower bouquet sent through one of the Rafa’s relative. Following this, Irshad had visited the college and gave her the flower bouquet and wished her. After a few days, she shared her problem with Rafa that she was late to classes as she could not reach the college on time from her village. Responding to this, Rafa said she would take her to her village as she will have to go to Mangaluru. The student believed Rafa’s words.
On June 20, 2015 at 7.30 am, a car would come to the place where the student was waiting and Irshad was driving the car. After seeing Irshad, she asked about Rafa. But Irshad said she would get into the car after some time. Believing his words, the student got into the car. Later, Irshad threatened her and took her to Dharwad. When the student did not turn up to the home even after evening, her family members lodged a complaint at Bantwal police station. During the same time, Irshad family members also filed a missing complaint.
After taking her to Dharwad, he got a room at a lodge and raped her in the room. Next day, he took her to Gadag and Hubballi and raped her, it was alleged in the complaint.
Truth uncovered
But in Hubballi, Irshad disclosed the truth before the student. He admitted that he was sending the WhatsApp messages in the name of Rafa. The student came to know that she was cheated. While investigating the missing case, the police managed to take both of them into custody on June 25. When the student was brought to Mangaluru and tested in a hospital, it was confirmed that she was raped.
When she was at the hospital, she came to know that Irshad was married. This has shocked her. She had lodged a case against Irshad in Bantwal police station. Then inspector Belliyappa filed the charge sheet against Irshad to the court under abduction (366), rape (376), illegal detention (342) and threat (506). In the case, total 22 witnesses including lodge records, statements from the staff and doctors report were considered. Judith O M Crasta argued in favour of the government.
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West Asia crisis: India flags energy supply concerns; PM speaks to leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Qatar
New Delhi (PTI): As the conflict in West Asia widened, India on Tuesday emphasised the interest of one crore Indian nationals in the region and voiced concern over consequences for the Indian economy due to possible disruptions in energy supplies, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the evolving situation with leaders of Oman, Kuwait and Qatar.
In its second statement since the US-Israel strikes on Iran and Tehran's subsequent retaliation, India once again called for "dialogue and diplomacy" to end the conflict, noting that New Delhi has critical stakes in the security and stability of West Asia and the current developments "evoke great anxiety".
New Delhi said it will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and take relevant decisions in the national interest, adding it is in touch with the governments in the region as well as other key partners.
"In recent days, we have not only witnessed an intensification of the conflict but also its spread to other nations. The destruction and deaths have mounted, even as normal life and economic activities come to a halt," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
"As a proximate neighbour with critical stakes in the security and stability of the region, these developments evoke great anxiety."
The ministry said almost one crore Indian citizens are living in West Asia, and their safety and well-being are of "utmost priority" for New Delhi. "We cannot be impervious to any development that negatively affects them," it said.
The conflict in West Asia intensified with Iran continuing to pound several Gulf countries in retaliation for the joint attack against it by Israel and the US. The US and Israel have also carried out fresh strikes on Iran.
As part of its offensive, Iran has blocked the strategically located Strait of Hormuz shipping route, triggering a surge in global oil prices.
"Our trade and energy supply chains also traverse this geography. Any major disruption has serious consequences for the Indian economy," the ministry said.
The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly 20 per cent of the world's total oil and gas supplies. About 50 per cent of India's oil imports, or roughly 2.6 million barrels a day, pass through the Strait.
Iran has carried out a wave of attacks mainly targeting Israel and American military bases in several Gulf countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
The Iranian retaliation increased after Tehran announced early Sunday that its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in the Israel-US strike.
"As a country whose nationals are prominent in the global workforce, India is also firmly opposed to attacks on merchant shipping. Already, some Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing as a result of such attacks in the last few days," it said.
"In this background, India strongly reiterates its call for dialogue and diplomacy. We raise our voice clearly in favour of an early end to the conflict. Already, many lives have been regrettably lost, and we express our grief in that regard," it added.
It is learnt that at least three Indian nationals were killed in Iranian attacks on two merchant vessels in the waters off Oman.
The statement by the MEA, however, was silent on the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei.
The ministry said Indian embassies and consulates in the affected countries remain in close touch with Indian nationals and community organisations, issuing regular advisories.
"They have also extended all possible help to those stranded by the conflict. The embassies and consulates will continue to be proactive in addressing various consular aspects of this conflict," it said.
"We are in touch with the governments of this region as well as other key partners. The prime minister and external affairs minister have held discussions with their counterparts," it added.
Following his phone conversation with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, PM Modi said India stands "firmly" in solidarity with the Gulf nation and strongly condemns any violation of its "sovereignty and territorial integrity".
"We emphasised the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region through dialogue and diplomacy. I also conveyed my appreciation for his continued support and care for the Indian community in Qatar during this challenging time," he said.
The prime minister described his phone conversation with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, as "productive" and conveyed to him that India condemns the violation of Kuwait's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"We underscored the significance of dialogue and diplomacy in restoring regional peace and stability. Appreciated the Kuwaiti leadership's continued support to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian community in Kuwait," Modi said on social media.
In his phone conversation with Oman Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Modi "deeply appreciated" Oman's continued support for the Indian community.
"Condemned the violation of Oman's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
We agreed that sustained diplomatic engagement is essential for the earliest restoration of regional peace and stability," the prime minister said.
India issued the first statement on February 28, hours after the US and Israel launched the military offensives against Iran.
"We had expressed our deep concern at the cankar spoke to the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and discussed the situation in West Asia. Our discussions focused on the ongoing conflict in Iran and the Gulf," Jaishankar said on X.
The US military has said six of its personnel were killed in the conflict so far. The US-Israeli strikes have killed at least 787 people, the Iranian Red Crescent Society said. According to reports, at least 11 people were killed in Israel.
In a related development, the Indian embassy in Iran has relocated most Indian students from Tehran.
"Due to the heightened risk perception in Tehran city, the Embassy of India has relocated most Indian students who were in Tehran," the Indian mission said.
The students were taken to locations outside of Tehran. The embassy arranged transportation, food and accommodation for the students.
