Karnataka HC Won't Quash Rape Case Against Police Inspector

Karnataka HC Won't Quash Rape Case Against Police Inspector The Karnataka High Court has refused to quash a case filed against suspended Police Inspector P. G. Sandesh of Moodbidri and two others, who are accused of repeatedly raping a headmistress from a school in Dakshina Kannada district. A bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna verbally expressed strong disapproval, stating, "As a police officer, you cannot behave like this." Sandesh, along with Smita Poornima R. Mallya and Sunitha Lobo, had sought to quash the FIR registered at the Venur police station. Following the court's stern remarks, Sandesh's counsel, M. R. Balakrishna, withdrew the petition. The court allowed the withdrawal, clarifying that if a charge sheet is filed against the petitioners, they are at liberty to challenge it by filing a fresh petition. Balakrishna had argued that the headmistress filed the case three years after the alleged incidents, claiming the rape occurred between November 2022 and June 2023, and called it a conspiracy to trap the police officer, asserting there was no prima facie case. However, the additional government prosecutor, B. N. Jagadish, highlighted that the first petitioner is a police officer and the victim's statement under CrPC Section 183 is sufficient for an investigation. The victim's counsel further submitted that the second and third accused had threatened the victim to drop the complaint. The case has been transferred to the CID, and the victim has provided her statement. It was also noted that there are 2-3 other cases against Sandesh, and the victim allegedly gave him 13 lakh rupees. Over 800 audio recordings of conversations between Sandesh and the victim were also mentioned. The court explicitly refused Balakrishna's request to prevent harassment of the petitioners under the guise of investigation. The FIR against Sandesh, who was formerly a circle inspector in Belthangady taluk, was filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including for sexual assault. The headmistress accuses him of repeatedly raping her at her home from 2018 to 2023, leveraging threats related to other cases and her family. She remained silent for five years due to fear for her life, reputation, and threats against her family. Sandesh has since been suspended by the government.

Source: CourtBeat News (Kannada)