Bangalore, Jul 21: Cracking the whip amid public outrage and protests over the alleged rape of a six-year-old girl, the Karnataka government today transferred Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar and decided to invoke the Goonda Act against the main accused, a skating instructor.
The top level shakeup came as an apparent fallout of mounting criticism of alleged inaction of government and police in the incident in which the first arrest was made yesterday, six days after a complaint was lodged with police.
Protests also turned violent today with ABVP activists clashing with police in front of Vibgyor High School, where the incident happened, leading to a baton charge, as they tried to storm into the building seeking answers from management.
As the issue figured in the Assembly, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Goonda Act would be invoked against the accused Mustafa as he was involved in similar cases earlier.
"Goonda Act will be invoked on Mustafa for raping the girl in Vibgyor High School because he has been involved in such cases in previous schools where he was employed," he said.
The Chief Minister said government has decided to amend the Goonda Act to include persons committing rape for the first time."We have sent the proposal to the Law Department and would introduce in the House as soon as possible," he added.
A rash of rape cases had led to eruption of public anger which had spilled into the streets, putting pressure on the government to show results.
Apart from the child rape case, a 22-year old woman was allegedly raped when she was with her friend in a car after they were forcibly driven away by four men, one of whom committed the crime and 16-year old nun was allegedly raped at a seminary in recent days.
Goonda Act to be invoked against accused
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said the Goonda Act would be invoked against the skating instructor, arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a six-year-old student at a public school, as he was involved in similar cases earlier.
"Goonda Act will be invoked on Mustafa for raping the girl in Vibgyor High School because he has been involved in such cases in previous schools where he was employed," Siddaramaiah said in the state Assembly.
31-year old Mustafa, hailing from Bihar, was arrested yesterday after eight persons, detained for questioning in connection with the incident, were interrogated.He said government has decided to amend the Goonda Act to include persons committing rape for the first time.
The government also plans to increase the number of fast-track courts to expedite cases and give speedy justice to the victim and their relatives, Siddaramaiah said.
On the demand made by YSV Datta (JDS), Home Minister K J George said the government has instructed the police to examine some steamy scenes in Bollywood film "Hate Story 2".
Raising the issue, Datta said films such as "Hate Story 2" emboldens criminals to indulge in sexual assaults.
"I request the Home Minister and the Chief Minister to examine some steamy scenes in the film, which emboldens criminals to commit sexual crimes."
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