Bengre rape case: ASI suspended for refusing to file victim’s complaint

Bantwal: ASI Raghuram Hegde of Bantwal town police has been suspended by the Superintendent of police Ravikanthe Gowda over dereliction of duty and also ordered probe.

The officer was suspended after the Thota Bengre rape victim visited Bantwal town police station on November 20, to report the rape incident which happened on November 18. However, the ASI chose to send the victim back by asking her to file a complaint in the jurisdiction where the rape happened. Hence, the victim was compelled to visit Mangaluru and later her complaint was registered at Mangaluru Women’s Police Station.

Post the complaint, a special team with Anti-Rowdy Squad was formed to track the seven accused in the rape. The seven of which three are minors have been apprehended and have been charged with IPC sections 376(D), 323, 354, 506.

File complaint in any station

A rape victim can file a complaint in any police station. In the case where the complaint is filed outside the jurisdiction of crime, it is called a zero number FIR. The police station must then transfer the zero number FIR to the police station in charge of investigation.