Dharmasthala rape-murder: Family demands CID probe; SP refuses to withdraw cases against protesters

October 18, 2012

Mangalore, October 18: The family members of 17-year-old girl, who was found raped and murdered earlier this month in Dharmasthala, have demanded a CID probe to find out the truth behind the incident.

The demand came even as Santhosh Rao Bajagoli, the lonely accused in the case, has been remanded to judicial custody.

Addressing a press meet in Belthangady, victim's father Chandappa Gowda and grandfather Babu Gowda expressed suspicion that arrested Rao may not be the only accused in the case.

They also said that only CID probe can reveal the truth. “There have been many cases of rape and murder in Dharmasthala and surrounding areas in past few months. All these cases should investigated along with this case”, they added.

Meanwhile Hindutva outfits like Bajrang Dal, Hindu Jagaran Vedike, Vishwa Hindu Parishat and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat have demanded the police to withdraw cases filed against their supporters who confronted with police in Belthangady.

Bantwal-based advocate Prasad Kumar said it was the residents of Beltangady who had handed over the murder accused to police.

Yet, they filed false cases on the activists. This proves that police enjoy humiliating people, he said and urged the government to hand over the case to the CID.

Former MLA Shakunatala Shetty has warned that if the police repeat such practices, she would be forced to stage a dharna in front of the ASP's office.

It may be recalled here that a day after the brutal rape and murder came to light many organisations staged protests in front of police station.

Later, it was the public who traced the accused and handed him over to Beltangady police. On the same night, a huge crowd had gathered before the police department urging them to hand over the accused. The police filed cases under charges of preventing government official from discharging their duties and other sections.

When contacted, Superintendent of Police Abhishek Goyal said there was no question of withdrawing the cases.

“We were forced to file cases as miscreants damaged a police jeep and roughed up policemen on duty. But we will not punish the innocent,'' he added.

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Udupi: Hindutva activist arrested for allegedly raping young woman while out on bail

News Network

December 1,2025

Udupi, Dec 1: A horrific case of alleged rape has unfolded in Udupi, where a worker from a Hindutva organisation, previously arrested and released on bail for harassing a young woman, is now accused of waylaying and sexually assaulting her.

The arrested individual has been identified as Pradeep Poojary (26), a member of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike's Nairkode unit in Perdur.

Poojary had allegedly been relentlessly harassing the young woman, pressuring her to marry him. When she bravely stood up to him and refused his demands, she filed a formal complaint at the Hiriyadka police station. He was subsequently arrested in that initial harassment case but was later granted bail.

According to police reports, driven by the same malicious grudge, Poojary allegedly intercepted the woman again on November 29. While she was walking through a deserted area, the accused is claimed to have threatened her by grabbing her neck. When she again refused to marry him, he allegedly proceeded to rape her.

The survivor immediately informed her family about the traumatic assault. Following this, her parents lodged a complaint at the Udupi women’s police station.

Police arrested Poojary again and produced him before the court. He has since been remanded to judicial custody.

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Udupi NRI duped of Rs 12.25 lakh in Telegram investment scam

News Network

December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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