Painter rapes minor girl, wife gets them married

Kolar: In a shocking incident, a painter allegedly raped a minor girl, after which painter’s wife forced him to marry the victim in order to save him from penal action.

The accused is Gangaraju, (32), of Dodda Kadathuru village. The incident took place at Hunasikote in Malur taluk.

It is gathered that Gangaraju allegedly raped his wife Pallavi’s cousin who had arrived at their house last week and was staying with them. After raping her he threatened her with dire consequences if she revealed it to anyone.

However,  the news spread in the village, following which a complaint reached the child helpline in Malur. The Childline officials alerted police. When the police questioned the girl, she said no such incident had taken place. 

Fearing trouble, Pallavi got her married to Gangaraju. As the victim was a minor girl, another complaint was lodged with the child’s helpline, Following which the police, along with a counsellor and legal adviser, spoke to the girl again. This time, she narrated the entire incident and also said that fearing trouble, Pallavi had forced her to marry Gangaraju. 

Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father, the police arrested both the accused, Gangaraju and his wife Pallavi under provisions of the Child Marriage Act, POCSO Act and Protection of Civil Right Act.