Woman Claims Gangrape In Karnataka Moral Policing Case, 3 Arrested

Following fresh testimony before a magistrate on Thursday, seven individuals have been charged with gangrape by the Hangal police. IPC section 376 D (Gang rape) has been added to the initial FIR in the case. While three suspects have been arrested, a search is ongoing for the remaining four.

The charges stem from the victim's allegations, made earlier this week, of a traumatic ordeal on January 8th.

According to police reports, on January 8, a group of men entered a hotel room in Hangal of Haveri district, where they assaulted a couple. The victim later said that she was taken on a bike and was gangraped at multiple locations in a nearby forest. She further alleged being forced out of a vehicle near a bus stand in Hangal.

Incident in hotel room

On Wednesday, a video circulated on social media depicting a group of men posing as hotel staff entering the couple's room. The gang physically assaulted the man and attacked the woman, despite their pleas for mercy going unanswered.

After the video went viral, the police identified the victims and received a complaint, leading to the registration of an FIR. The victim underwent a medical examination on Wednesday, and the police initially registered charges under IPC sections 363 (Kidnap), 324 (Voluntarily causing hurt), and 509 (Insulting modesty of a woman).

A day after the FIR, the victim released a video making fresh allegations, claiming she was gang-raped by seven men. Subsequently, her statement was recorded before a magistrate, where she reiterated the accusations of rape by seven men.

In response to her statement, the police augmented the FIR with relevant IPC sections and initiated a manhunt for the remaining four suspects in the case.