Bengaluru: Home Minister K J George on Monday said the police had been given a free rein to probe the mysterious death of a girl at Thirthahalli in Shivamogga district recently, and directions had been issued not to succumb to any pressure from any quarter.
Addressing the media, he said the police had been asked to expedite the investigation and take necessary action to bring the culprits to book.
To a question on the victim’s father claiming that the suicide note was fabricated and that his daughter’s initials were wrong, George said he was not in a position to either dispute or accept anything pertaining to the case. “I have already told him (the father) that his daughter is like my daughter. I can understand his agony,” he added.
George, who had recently kicked up a controversy blaming the media for highlighting cases of sexual assault, made a U-turn and heaped praises on the Fourth Estate. The media has been doing a commendable job in not only highlighting cases of sexual assault but also spreading awareness among people, he said.
The home minister, however, cautioned the media organisations against disclosing the identity of victims related to sexual assault cases as it attracts penal action.
