NEW DELHI: In a disturbing incident of moral policing, seven men have been charged with gang rape after allegedly assaulting an interfaith couple in a hotel room in Karnataka’s Haveri district. The incident occurred on January 8, and three men, belonging to a minority community, have been arrested in connection with the case.
The victim, a 26-year-old married woman from a minority community, had checked into a hotel room with a 40-year-old KSRTC driver, with whom she had been in a relationship for three years. The woman recorded her statement on Thursday, alleging that she was sexually assaulted by the seven men who also abused and assaulted her.
ALSO READ: Discrimination against Dalits in Karnataka must stop at once
Based on her claim, the police added section 376 D (gangrape) to the existing FIR. Three men have been arrested so far, while another suspect is hospitalised due to an accident. Once discharged, he will be taken into custody. The police are actively pursuing the remaining suspects.
The assault, which took place inside a hotel room, was filmed by the perpetrators, and the videos later went viral on social media. The visuals show six men barging into the room, verbally abusing the couple and assaulting them. The victim, who attempted to cover her face with a burqa, was dragged out of the room by the assailants.
ALSO READ: NIA arrests first accused in Kerala professor’s hand-chopping case after 13-year chase
The couple, in the hotel for a stay, was spotted by an auto-rickshaw driver who immediately informed local men from the minority community. The group, arriving on motorcycles, attacked the couple and drove them to an isolated location about a kilometer away from the hotel. There, they continued the assault, and the woman alleged she was gang-raped.
The perpetrators gave the victim rupees 500 and instructed her to go to her native place. The woman later went to Sirsi, where her husband resides.
The accused, not affiliated with any organisation, do not have a criminal background, according to the police. The incident has added charges of kidnap and assault, in addition to gang rape, as per the FIR.
