K.C. Rosakkutty, chairperson of the Kerala Women’s Commission, on Saturday said a report on the Manipal gang-rape case would be submitted to the Kerala Chief Minister.
A medical student from Manipal University, hailing from Kerala, was abducted by three persons and later gang-raped on the night of June 20. The student is recuperating at the Kasturba Hospital here.
Three suspects in the case were arrested by the police on June 27. Of the three, two attempted suicide on June 27 and they are being treated in the same hospital.
Ms. Rosakkutty along with two other members of the commission — Noorbeena Rasheed and K.A. Thulasi — visited the Kasturba Hospital here to gather information about the case.
Speaking to presspersons after visiting the hospital, Ms. Rosakkutty said the commission had come to meet the student and her family and to provide any assistance, including legal, if they needed it. But they could not meet either the student or her parents.
“Usually in such cases the victim would be reluctant to meet anyone, or the parents do not allow it. That is understandable,” she said.
Ms. Rosakkutty said the statement of the medical student was very important in the case. “It is a crucial thing. So, until and unless she speaks and gives evidence, there will be problem,” she said.
To a question, she said the doctor treating the student had opined that the student could be discharged in three days. “She is recovering, and there might be no need for her to be in the hospital after three days,” she said.
To another question, Ms. Rosakkutty said the girl’s father was expected to speak to her on Saturday evening over telephone. She would meet IGP (Western Range) Pratap Reddy in Mangalore and discuss the case with him. “After gathering all information, we will submit a report to the Chief Minister (of Kerala),” she said.
Ms. Rosakkutty said she had also got information about the security in Manipal University. The university authorities had said that three patrol teams were going round the university campus after the incident.
“From our side we will give some suggestions. There are around 20,000 students on the university campus. There must be more security for safety of women students,” she said.
