A disturbing series of sexual assaults targeting minor girls in Belagavi taluk over the past month has erupted into a significant political controversy. The situation escalated due to serious allegations of police leniency, purportedly influenced by political pressure, in handling these sensitive cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Constitutional Bodies Step In, Fresh Probe Ordered
The gravity of the situation compelled the intervention of constitutional authorities. In one specific case, registered at the APMC police station based on a complaint by a minor girl's mother, both the Karnataka High Court and the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) took suo motu cognisance. Acting on media reports, these bodies sought detailed reports from the police.
On Tuesday, following directives from these authorities, the police department initiated a fresh investigation. Deputy Superintendent of Police J Raghu led the probe, recording statements from the staff and officials of the APMC police station, as well as from the survivor's family in Kangali (KH) village.
Police are facing severe criticism for an alleged undue delay in registering the First Information Report (FIR) and in conducting the mandatory medical examination of the survivor. This is despite the case involving serious charges of kidnapping and offences under the stringent Pocso Act.
Allegations of Political Pressure and Police Failures
The police department faced further backlash in another separate case from Belagundi village. Here, the accused, who is reportedly a school headmaster, was released on station bail despite the registration of a Pocso case. This perceived leniency ignited sharp political reactions.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensified its attack on the ruling dispensation. Former MLA Sanjay Patil directly accused a local MLA and the state's Women and Child Welfare Minister, Laxmi Hebbalkar, of exerting pressure on police officials to secure the accused's release. Patil alleged that the accused is a known supporter of the minister.
Political Crossfire and Calls for Action
On Wednesday, Belagavi South MLA Abhay Patil strongly criticised political interference in such grave matters, though he did not name any minister specifically. "Politicians should not cross the line in the name of supporting their followers," he stated. "If leaders begin shielding those accused of sexually harassing minor girls, they must reflect on the kind of society they are creating."
He urged the police to act strictly without showing any leniency. "These are crimes against our girls. I appeal to Home Minister G Parameshwara to suspend erring police officials who fail in their duty," Abhay Patil asserted, highlighting the public outrage over the handling of the cases.
The confluence of heinous crimes against children and accusations of a compromised law and order mechanism has placed the Belagavi district administration and the state government under intense scrutiny. The fresh investigation ordered by the higher authorities is now being closely watched for impartiality and swift justice.
