One of the three suspects in the Manipal gang-rape case was produced before the court here on Friday and remanded in police custody for five days.
Of the two other suspects who attempted suicide, the condition of one remains critical and he is on ventilator support.
The three suspects in the case were arrested by the police near Manipal on Thursday.
Addressing presspersons here, Superintendent of Police M.B. Boralingaiah said one of the three accused, Hariprasad Poojary, was produced before the court here and was remanded in police custody till July 3. Suspect Yogesh Poojary’s condition is critical, while the other suspect Anand is out of danger.
Both are being treated at the Kasturba Hospital in Manipal. “Technically, Yogesh and Anand have not been arrested. Since they had attempted suicide they were rushed to the hospital. But their rooms are under police guard. As soon as they recover, they will be arrested,” he said.
The police were trying to convince the medical student to give a statement. She is yet to identify the suspects. “It is not good for the case if she does not give a statement. The student had been told about the arrests of the suspects,” he said.
To a question, he said there was no information about the three suspects’ connection to any organisation.
Incidentally, Hariprasad was arrested in a gambling case and let off two days before the crime.
Informants
The autorickshaw used in the crime has been seized. To another query, he said there was more than one informant in the case. The reward money of Rs. 5 lakh would be given to them. He said the police would hold a meeting with Manipal University authorities to tighten security on campus.
The university has agreed to install more CCTVs on the campus. The police will implement the Autorickshaw Drivers’ Display System (ADDS) in Manipal, he said.
Asked how it was that two of the accused had attempted suicide and the police reached in the nick of time and saved them, Mr. Boralingaiah said: “It was a coincidence.”
