Dakshina Kannada: 4 arrested for rape of 14-year-old Dalit girl

4 men have been booked under the POSCO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) by the Vitla police station. Dakshina Kannada district police chief C B Ryshyanth, released a statement pertaining to the incident. 4 of the accused are natives of Vitla, a town in the Bantwal taluk. 1 of the accused hails from Kasargod. The victim was allegedly raped on multiple occasions starting from 2019. Furthermore in January, May and June of 2023 she was assaulted again. The last instance of the assault was on July 28th. Medical reports have confirmed the sexual assault. They have also been charged under relevant sections of the prevention of atrocities against SC/ST act. 

28 year old Sukumar belonging to Beripadavu, 30 year old Kamalaksha Belchada (30) belonging to Kojappa in the Bayar village, 24 year old Akshay Devadiga (24) from Beripadavu and Jaiprakash are the arrested individuals. Akshay had a painting job. Kamalaskha worked as a mason. Sukumar earned a living as a driver. 

The DYFI (Democratic Youth Federation of India) state president Muneer Katipala has alleged that the perpetrators belong to Bajrang Dal. This has however been denied by Sharan Pumpwell, convener for Bajrang Dal for Mangaluru. Officials and localities have however confirmed the links of Sukumar and Jaiprakash to Bajrang Dal.