Seven men accused in a gang-rape case in Karnataka’s Haveri district were greeted with public celebrations by their supporters after being released from jail this week, triggering widespread outrage, according to ToI.
The accused had been in judicial custody for over 17 months in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a 26-year-old woman in January 2023. They were granted bail by the Haveri sessions court on Tuesday.
Following their release from Haveri sub-jail, the accused were taken in a motorcade to Akki Alur town. Videos of the procession, featuring motorcycles, cars, slogans and the accused flashing victory signs, have since gone viral on social media.
The accused were identified as Aftab Chandanakatti, Madar Saab Mandakki, Samiwulla Lalanavar, Mohammad Sadiq Agasimani, Shoib Mulla, Tausip Choti, and Riyaz Savikeri.
The celebrations triggered public concern and condemnation, particularly from legal experts and women’s rights groups, who noted that such behaviour may have violated the bail conditions.
“We will open a rowdy-sheet against these accused and will appeal to the court for cancellation of their bail,” reported TOI quoting Haveri Superintendent of Police Anshu Kumar Srivastava.
What was the case about?
The case began as a suspected moral policing incident involving an interfaith couple at a private lodge in Hangal but was later reclassified as gang-rape after the woman informed police that she had been dragged into a nearby forest and assaulted by seven men.
She repeated her account before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code and later identified the accused during an official identification parade overseen by the Hangal tahsildar.
In 2023, the survivor also spoke to the media, affirming the identities of her alleged attackers. However, during court proceedings this year, she reportedly retracted or did not uphold her earlier testimony—a development the public prosecutor said contributed to the accused being granted bail.
The police investigation — led by then Additional SP C Gopal — included statements from about 80 witnesses, including forensic experts, doctors, and staff at the private lodge.
The chargesheet spanned over 1,000 pages, supported by physical evidence such as DNA samples, hair strands, bloodstains, clothing items, CCTV footage, and more.
A total of 19 individuals were arrested in connection with the case — seven as primary accused in the gang-rape and 12 others accused of facilitating the crime or physically assaulting the survivor.
The latter group had been granted bail roughly 10 months ago.
The accused had been in judicial custody for over 17 months in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a 26-year-old woman in January 2023. They were granted bail by the Haveri sessions court on Tuesday.
Following their release from Haveri sub-jail, the accused were taken in a motorcade to Akki Alur town. Videos of the procession, featuring motorcycles, cars, slogans and the accused flashing victory signs, have since gone viral on social media.
The accused were identified as Aftab Chandanakatti, Madar Saab Mandakki, Samiwulla Lalanavar, Mohammad Sadiq Agasimani, Shoib Mulla, Tausip Choti, and Riyaz Savikeri.
The celebrations triggered public concern and condemnation, particularly from legal experts and women’s rights groups, who noted that such behaviour may have violated the bail conditions.
“We will open a rowdy-sheet against these accused and will appeal to the court for cancellation of their bail,” reported TOI quoting Haveri Superintendent of Police Anshu Kumar Srivastava.
What was the case about?
The case began as a suspected moral policing incident involving an interfaith couple at a private lodge in Hangal but was later reclassified as gang-rape after the woman informed police that she had been dragged into a nearby forest and assaulted by seven men.
She repeated her account before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code and later identified the accused during an official identification parade overseen by the Hangal tahsildar.
In 2023, the survivor also spoke to the media, affirming the identities of her alleged attackers. However, during court proceedings this year, she reportedly retracted or did not uphold her earlier testimony—a development the public prosecutor said contributed to the accused being granted bail.
The police investigation — led by then Additional SP C Gopal — included statements from about 80 witnesses, including forensic experts, doctors, and staff at the private lodge.
The chargesheet spanned over 1,000 pages, supported by physical evidence such as DNA samples, hair strands, bloodstains, clothing items, CCTV footage, and more.
A total of 19 individuals were arrested in connection with the case — seven as primary accused in the gang-rape and 12 others accused of facilitating the crime or physically assaulting the survivor.
The latter group had been granted bail roughly 10 months ago.
