Pregnant woman rape, murder case: accused gets death sentence
Kundapur: The Kundapur Additional Sessions Court convicted Prashant Mogaveera to death in the rape and murder of a pregnant woman three years ago.
The district court judge Prakash Khanderi sentenced the victim to 10 years for raping a pregnant woman, ten years for theft, four years for attempt to kidnap, one year for illegally entering the house, and a death sentence for killing a woman and her fetal.
Hundreds of people had gathered in front of the court in the wake of the verdict.
On April 11, 2015, Prashanth, had arrived at a house in Moodugopadi asking for drinking water. When the resident of the home, a pregnant woman opened the door, he allegedly raped her.
The pregnant woman Indira was then murdered by him with a boulder. He then fled away from the spot after robbing her necklace. However, he was nabbed by the Kundapur police, who saw him running with blood-soaked clothes.
The court had rejected his bail, and after three years, on February 14, the court had finally declared him guilty, after all the allegations were proved against him.
Various organizations had staged protests demanding harsh punishment for the accused.
Kundapur Senior Advocate Ravikiran Murdeshwara was appointed as a special government prosecutor at the request of the family of the deceased.
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Upset over insufficient replies by govt, Speaker adjourns the Assembly, walks out
Bengaluru (PTI): Upset over the insufficient number of written replies from government departments to MLAs' questions, Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Monday adjourned the House and walked out, stating that he would not run the House until concerned ministers and secretaries provide an explanation.
The Speaker's move, considered "unprecedented" by many legislators, came after Home Minister G Parameshwara tabled 84 written replies against 230 'unstarred' questions submitted by MLAs.
Khader, on Friday, had admonished the government, stating that his "gentleness" should not be mistaken for "weakness," as he took strong exception to the government replying to only a few of the questions from MLAs.
Last week, Khader had repeatedly, though mildly, asked the government to ensure replies to the questions asked by legislators.
As soon as Parameshwara tabled the written replies, opposition BJP members, including Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, pointed out to the Chair that the situation had not improved despite repeated warnings, even as the Home Minister claimed that there was a "bit of improvement."
"Not even 50 per cent questions were replied to. You (Speaker) have warned them (government) four times already, do it for the fifth time. Let it become a record. This government is dead.....Despite warnings, they have not improved. Officials come like Gods, they go home like Gods," Ashoka said, demanding that the Speaker take action.
Khader expressed displeasure, stating that he had issued "clear orders" from his chair four times.
"This House is not for ministers. The session is held for legislators, and it is for them to meet once in three months to discuss issues in their constituencies. Legislators from all parties ask questions. Out of them, only 15 questions become 'starred' (questions to be answered on the floor of the House) daily. If the remaining (unstarred) questions go unanswered, why should they (MLAs) come to this House?" he asked.
Pointing out the lack of proper replies to questions asked, the Speaker said, "How can we continue like this? Despite clear orders from the Chair four times, there are no signs of improvement. How do we run this House?"
"So, until the concerned ministers and secretaries give a proper explanation, I won't run this House," he said, before adjourning the House and walking out.
Later, when the House resumed, the Speaker said there was a meeting involving the Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition, senior minister, chief secretary and other senior officials took place, during which it was decided that answers should be provided to questions put by MLAs and appropriate action had been taken.
The government will give its reply on this issue later in the day, he said, as he adjourned the House for lunch.
