City Police Commissioner N.S. Megharikh has handed over the investigation to the Central Crime Branch on the direction of Home Minister G. Parameshwara.
The Soladevanahalli police have arrested Lokesh Bangaru (40), Venkatesh (37) and Rahmatulla (42) from Chikkabanavara, Saleem Pasha (37) of Dwarakanagar and Bhanuprakash (25) from Thammenahalli based on CCTV footage from the scene of the crime. They were part of the mob that attacked the girl and three of her friends before setting fire to their car.
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Considering the sensitivity of the case, the home minister has directed Mr. Megharik to hand over the case to CCB.
Many suspects are on the run, a senior police officer, who is supervising the probe, said. Initial investigations have revealed that Lokesh is a Gram Panchayat member.
Earlier on Thursday, Director General and Inspector General of Police Om Prakash and Mr. Megharik visited Ganapathipura where the attack had taken place.
The situation at Ganapathipura was tense. Additional police personnel have been deployed to prevent further violence. A senior police officer said that there are many pockets in the city that have a high concentration of international students. The jurisdictional police have been asked to ensure their safety, he said.
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