25 people arrested in connection with mob attack on Channagiri police station in Davangere
Davangere (Karnataka), May 27: Police have so far arrested at least 25 people in connection with a mob attack on Channagiri police station, officials said on Monday.
A police station was vandalised in Channagiri town in Davangere district and several vehicles were damaged by a violent mob over an alleged custodial death, during the small hours of Saturday. At least 11 police personnel were injured in the incident.
The Criminal Investigation Department has now been handed over the probe into the case.
Police said they have arrested 25 people in connection with a mob attack on the police station, personnel and properties under sections 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 307 (Attempt to murder) of IPC, and the suspects have been remanded in judicial custody.
They said five police teams were formed to investigate the incident, and arrests have been made based on CCTV footage and video clips available.
ALSO READ: CID takes over investigation of custodial death of Adil in Channagiri
Adil (30) was detained on May 24 for his alleged involvement in gambling activities in the district, police said adding his health condition deteriorated subsequently and he died.
As the news of the man's death spread, his relatives along with a large group of people went on a rampage, damaging police vehicles and hurling stones at the police station, alleging that he died in custody.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Channagiri police station inspector have been suspended following the attack on the police station.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday said, "A Deputy SP and an inspector have been suspended, as there was no proper action on part of the police and there was negligence. An inquiry has been ordered. Based on what comes out of the inquiry, we will take action."
The incident shouldn't have happened. "Because of his (deceased) alleged involvement in matka (gambling), police had caught him, during which he had some problem (with health) and he died. How did he die -- due to heart attack or low BP (blood pressure) -- we will get to know about it from the postmortem report. An inquiry has been ordered," he said.
On charges that police had caught him as he did not give them bribe money, the minister said, it will be known from the inquiry. In case any such involvement is found, action will be taken. "We will dismiss them (officials). Such people should not hold official positions."
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Kerala HC slams govt for inaction on Hema Committee report; terms it alarming
Kochi, Sep 10: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday pulled up the Left government in the state saying its inaction on the Justice Hema Committee report was "alarming."
A special division bench of Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and C S Sudha said the government got the report years ago and ought to have immediately responded and directed that the full report be handed over to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to take requisite action.
It also asked why the state was silent for so long.
The bench said women are more in number in Kerala and asked what the state was doing about the problems being faced by them in society.
It said the government took action only more than four years after it got the report.
It directed the government to hand over the full report of the committee to the SIT constituted to look into the complaints of sexual harassment and assaults by female actors against some of their male counterparts and others in the film industry.
The bench said the SIT can take action based on the report and the court will examine on the next date what steps have been taken by the special team.
At the same time, the court also said that the SIT should not act in haste and that the details of the victims and the accused should not be disclosed.
The court also refused to issue any gag order, but said that the media should restrain itself and directed the police not to disclose unnecessary details of the cases they are investigating.
The court also said that there should be comprehensive legislation on the issue and directed the government to file an affidavit, indicating steps taken by it, before the next date of hearing on October 3.
During the hearing, the Advocate General, appearing for the state, said that steps, including constituting an SIT, have been taken and 23 cases have been lodged based on the complaints by female actors.
The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealing instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.
Following the allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation cropping up against several actors and directors in the wake of the report being made public, the state government on August 25 announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them.
