CID moves into Thirthahalli, begins probe

Thirthahalli/ Bengaluru: CID police led by IGP Pronab Mohanty and SP S Rajappa swung into action on Wednesday, visiting areas connected with the death of 14 year-old-girl in Thirthahalli in Shivamogga district. The team had a detailed discussion with the girl’s parents at their residence in Balebailu, people at the bus stand where she reportedly waited for the bus, and Anandagiri hills, where the teenager was found in an unconscious state and rescued by a woman who heard her screams.Police sources said the suicide note supposedly written by the girl had been sent to a handwriting expert for its authenticity. The autopsy report had not been made public as another was awaited from the Forensic Science Laboratory.
Meanwhile, protests continued in Shivamogga city, Sagar, Rippenpet, NR Pura, Konandur and several other villages against the government and police, for their failure to nab the culprits a week after the incident. The complaint lodged by the girl’s father says she was kidnapped on October 29, on her way to school. She was found abandoned in a forest on Anandagiri hill, near the school. He alleged that some youths had forced her to drink a poisonous substance. The girl was taken to JC Hospital in Thirthahalli and treated for fever and vomiting. As her condition worsened, she was shifted to McGann Hospital in Shivamogga. When there was no improvement, she was shifted to a private hospital in Manipal, where she died. The police were informed 10 hours after her death.
UNTIMELY POLITICAL SPAT
There were a few embarrassing moments at the girl’s house when two leaders had a verbal exchange, prompting the grieving family to request them not to create a scene there. When BJP MLC PV Krishan Bhat and former Women’s Commission chairperson C Manjula were talking to the family, the present chief of the women’s panel Manjula Manasa walked in.
Hearing Bhat and C Manjula say that the Congress was trying to shield the culprits, Manjula Manasa took exception to the charges. When her predecessor did not recognize her and asked who she was, an offended Manasa got into an argument and asked for the other’s credentials.
CRIME’S MANY SHADES
With the girl’s death taking on political overtones, there are many versions doing the rounds of what exactly happened that morning.
FIR filed by girl’s father
My daughter took a bus and alighted at Thirthahalli bus stand, and was waiting for her friends to join her at 9am. Three persons came in a Maruti Omni, dragged her inside the vehicle, muzzled her and headed towards Anandagiri hill. There she was forced to drink some liquid. Later, they threatened to kill her if she blurted out what had happened. When she started throwing up at night, we took her to the hospital where died on October 31.
Police’s suicide note
Police released a suicide note reportedly written by the girl, which was found in her school bag. The note said she was committing suicide as she was not able to cope with her studies, and wanted the parents to take care of her sister. The suicide note has been disputed by her parents, who contend that they searched the school bag after her death and didn’t come across any note. The note surfaced after police took the bag into their custody.
Political twist
Shobha Karandlaje, BJP MP representing Udupi, says, “Our information says the girl protested when the youth started groping her. A woman who had come to collect wood in the forest rescued and brought the girl home. The suicide note is written in red ink. The parents say she did not have a red ink pen.”
Police are building a case
Primary and secondary education minister Kimmane Ratnakar, who’s been charged by the BJP of shielding the accused, claims the lack of evidence is slowing down police.
Why haven’t the culprits been nabbed even after a week?
This is a peculiar case. We don’t have clear evidence nor a statement by the girl. Police are forced to work and build the case based on circumstantial evidence gathered from the family, informers and material available. In the absence of clear-cut evidence or a perfect report, police cannot initiate action against any person. As it’s a medico-legal case, whatever police produce as evidence should stand in court.
What about reports that police and you are shielding the culprits?
It’s totally false. I’ve been in public service for five decades and am not enamoured by money or power. Soon after the incident I rushed to the town, met the family and assured them I will always stand by them in providing justice.
Is the girl’s family under pressure from any quarters?
When I met the family, they didn’t disclose anything. The case was filed after the girl’s death. The police failed to get the preliminary report from the hospital in Thirthahalli, where she was initially admitted. I’ve learnt that some political parties are trying to pressure the family to issue statements to communalize the issue. A close relative of the girl’s father is an active member of the Bajrang Dal.