Two more accused arrested; two others at large
The police on Wednesday filed an FIR against Pulakeshinagar police inspector Mohammad Rafiq for not registering the rape complaint under the relevant clauses given by the 22-year-old student, who was sexually assaulted in Bangalore on July 11.
Home Minister K.J. George told the Legislative Assembly on Thursday that a criminal case had been registered against the inspector, who had already been suspended, under the amended section 166 (A) of the Indian Penal Code.
He refused to give in to the demand of the Opposition for an immediate arrest of the inspector. “Neither the Supreme Court nor the legislature can direct the police to arrest a person with respect to an investigation. Only the investigating officer has the authority to decide on when to arrest the accused,” he said.
He also said two more accused, identified as Mohammed Ali and Wasim Khan, were arrested on Thursday. Another two are at large.
Opposition unhappy
The Legislative Council saw a ‘war of words’ between the Congress and the Opposition, with the latter demanding the immediate arrest of the inspector.
Mr. George’s reply that an FIR had been filed against him failed to mollify Opposition Leader K.S. Eshwarappa. He accused the government of “taking shelter under the law”.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah intervened to say the government was not trying to protect anyone “whoever he is, whatever influence he wields and whatever caste or community be belongs to”.
