Home Minister T.J. George’s statement that a fresh investigation of the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl in Dharmasthala validates a long-drawn struggle by the victims’ father.
Mr. George had promised a reinvestigation by the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) in his reply to a question posed by Belthangady MLA K. Vasant Bangera on Tuesday. Mr. Bangera’s question follows a plea by the victim’s father, Chandrappa, who wanted a fresh inquiry carried out by a special investigation officer into the rape and murder of his daughter who was abducted on her way back from college near Dharmasthala on October 9, 2012.
“The police are portraying Santosh as the main and only accused. However, there are rumours that my daughter was raped and killed by a gang of four,” Chandappa had said in a letter to the MLA.
His letter also levels allegations against the Sub Inspector of the Belthangady police station, whom he accused of covering up in the case. “Influential people, who have money power, had raped my daughter, but the police are trying to protect them. I have submitted the names of three local youths suspected to have committed the crime to officials of the CID. However, no inquiry has been initiated in this direction,” he said.
The Home Minister said in the Assembly that the fresh investigation will also include an inquiry against the Sub Inspector of Police.
