13-Year-Old Girl Sexually Assaulted in Karnataka's Belagavi District: Two Suspects Arrested

Police have apprehended two individuals in relation to the case. (Representational)

Belagavi, Karnataka:

A disturbing incident occurred in Karnataka's Belagavi district on Tuesday when a 13-year-old girl was forcibly taken into a sugarcane field and sexually assaulted.

Two suspects have been arrested by the police regarding this case.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Manikantha Dinnimani and Iranna Sankammanavar. According to police reports, one suspect committed the assault while the other acted as a lookout.

The incident took place within the jurisdiction of Muragoda police station. Police officials stated that the victim, a student in seventh grade, was allegedly kidnapped and raped while returning from a flour mill.

The assault happened after the victim was pulled into a sugarcane field. The incident was reported with delay because the victim's family reportedly received death threats.

The accused carried out the crime against the minor when she was on her way home from the flour mill. The assault occurred approximately 300 meters from her residence. Following a complaint submitted on Monday (December 1), the Murgod Police registered the case and detained the suspects.

Addressing the incident, Belagavi SP Bhimashankar Guled said, "According to the victim's statement, one accused perpetrated the crime while another supported by maintaining watch."

"Immediately after the complaint was filed, police officers took the accused into custody. We have assigned a female police officer to investigate the case. The accused individuals, Manikantha and Iranna, will soon be presented before the court," SP Guled added.

Regarding the delayed reporting, the SP explained, "We will investigate to determine why the complaint was filed late. In our experience, victims are usually in shock. Initially, they find it difficult to speak; even when they do, they are frightened and concerned about societal judgment."

He emphasized that the delay in reporting to authorities is not significant. "The crime has occurred, preliminary investigations have confirmed it, and the suspects have been arrested," he stated.

"We will provide protection to the victim if needed. The police have not attempted to compromise the case. Especially in POCSO cases, police are particularly vigilant. This is not a case to be compromised, and law enforcement will not engage in such behavior," he clarified while responding to a question.