The city police, which is probing the alleged heckling of the Australian couple over the tattoo of Hindu goddess Yellamma, is yet to question R.V. Ramesh Yadav, the local BJP leader allegedly involved in the incident.
They are yet to even summon him.
This is in spite of Mr. Ramesh Yadav giving several interviews to the media, including The Hindu , claiming he was present at the hotel and had objected to the tattoo.
On Monday, he told The Hindu that he had intervened and asked his friend to withdraw the complaint against law student Matthew Gordon, after he tendered an apology.
The police have recorded the statement of the staff at Konark Hotel where the incident occurred and that of Ravi, who lodged the complaint against Mr. Gordon for allegedly abusing him.
Meanwhile, the probe was hampered as the police have not been able to get in touch with the Australian couple. Mr. Gordon and his girlfriend Emily left the city on Monday and have been incommunicado since.
The police is in touch with the Australian High Commission in New Delhi to try and track down the couple to record their statement.
The police are trying to record the statement of the couple’s friend, Abhishek, who was a witness to the sordid affair. However, he is also incommunicado, said Prabhakar Karki, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Seshadripuram, who is leading the probe.
Senior police officials have reviewed the station diary at Ashok Nagar police station and also are in the process of recording statements of police officials. The sub-inspector who handled the case will be questioned, officials said.
We have taken the case very seriously. I want to make it clear that the city police has a sub-zero tolerance policy towards moral policing. Any such attempt will be nipped in the bud.
N.S. Megharik, Police Commissioner
