Three men arrested in Karnataka's Hubballi over rape, circulation of videos
Hubballi (Karnataka) (PTI): A 35-year-old woman was allegedly raped by two men here, and photos and videos of the incident were circulated on a messaging platform, police said on Sunday.
Two men accused of raping the woman and a third person who circulated videos of the incident have been arrested and will be produced in court, police said.
The woman is stable and undergoing medical examination, police said.
Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar said the incident occurred between 11.30 pm and midnight on January 9, when the woman was allegedly taken in an auto-rickshaw from Ambedkar Ground.
"The two men misbehaved with her, made physical contact, and allegedly forced her to consume alcohol. They took photos and videos before dropping her back at Ambedkar Ground," he said.
Police said they learned of the incident after members of the public received the photos and videos and alerted authorities. The woman was later traced in Hubballi city.
"Her identity was initially not known. Inquiry revealed she had been staying near temples in different parts of the city for the past one-and-a-half months and was eating at Siddharoodha Math," the commissioner said.
Police initially registered a case on their own, and a formal complaint was recorded after the woman was traced, he said.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered for rape and, under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, for recording and circulating the photos and videos.
The commissioner stated that the woman had arrived in Hubballi approximately one and a half months prior from another district, following a dispute with her husband.
The man was arrested in connection with that incident and is currently lodged in Shivamogga jail.
Police identified Shivanand and Ganesh as the accused in the alleged rape, and Pradeep as the accused of circulating the videos. All three worked as labourers, he said.
Police said some residents in the Old Hubballi area allegedly assaulted and tonsured Shivanand and Ganesh after learning of their involvement.
A separate case was registered after Shivanand filed a complaint, and four people were taken into custody, police said.
The commissioner said officials have been directed to identify homeless women and children near public places and place them in rescue and rehabilitation centres.
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Mamata alleges BJP disrupted her Bhabanipur rally, Suvendu claims 'she's nervous'
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cut short her speech at a rally in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging that the BJP was deliberately playing loud music from a nearby public meeting.
A peeved Banerjee said despite having the required permission of the Election Commission, her rally in Chakraberia was disrupted by the BJP, "who want to capture Bengal by intimidation and threat".
"It is not possible for me to go ahead with this meeting. If they can do such a thing in my constituency, imagine how undemocratic the BJP is. If they behave like this, I have to take legal action," she said.
"This is an insult, humiliation. BJP is stepping on our toes to instigate trouble. Not possible to address the gathering in this situation. I am leaving the stage. Please vote for me in your protest," she added.
Banerjee was then seen calling someone over and venting her grievances.
Before leaving the stage, she said, "I will hold a rally tomorrow at the same spot."
TMC supporters then rushed towards the BJP rally, which was later addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, but security personnel intervened and prevented the situation from escalating.
TMC workers later staged a demonstration outside the local police station and filed a complaint, alleging that the BJP violated the model code of conduct.
A senior TMC leader said another complaint will also be lodged with the Election Commission.
Asked about Banerjee's allegations, Adhikari told reporters after the rally he held nearby, "Her reaction shows she is nervous about the imminent loss."
"There was no violence, no obstruction in her meeting and her behaviour shows her nervousness. On May 4, people of Bhabanipur will celebrate the victory of the BJP," he claimed, alleging that the TMC also tried to disrupt his meeting by playing loud music.
South Kolkata's Bhabanipur, one of the battleground seats in the West Bengal elections, will vote in the second phase on April 29.
