CM Siddaramaiah says no question of setting up SIT in Udupi college washroom video case

MANGALURU, UDUPI: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday visited Mangaluru and Udupi, his first since assuming power.

Speaking to media persons at the airport, the CM said the Soujanya rape and murder was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the family’s demand. “We will see what can be done legally. We will have to file an appeal in the court. I haven’t seen the CBI court order and I will see if there is room for appeal in the high court”, he said.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah speaking to the media at the Mangaluru airport upon his arrival.

Last month, a CBI special court had acquitted, Santosh Rao, the lone accused in the 2012 case. In 2013, when he was Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had handed over the case to the CBI and the agency filed a chargesheet in 2014 naming only Santosh Rao as the lone accused in the case.

The CM also said that in the Udupi paramedical college washrooom mobile video case, the police had already filed a suo motu case and the investigation is being headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

“National Commission for Women (NCW) member Khushbu Sundar herself has said that there was no hidden camera. Let the investigation report be filed and then we can talk about it”, he said.

To a question on the Home Minister’s remark that the college girl students may have done it for fun, the CM said, “An FIR has been filed and a Deputy SP is heading the probe and there is no question of setting up an SIT”.

The CM waves to the crowd at the Padubidri beach in Udupi.

He also said strict action will be taken against those indulging in moral policing and that the police have been instructed not to let anyone take the law into their hands.

On the issue of the High Grounds police in Bengaluru filing a case against a woman BJP activist, he questioned whether it was okay to drag in the family in the name of criticism. “Criticism is fine, but action will be taken against fake news and damaging an individual’s image”, he added.

The CM later proceeded to Udupi where he inspected the damage caused by Cyclone Biparjoy at the Padubidri beach in Kaup taluk. The district has a coastline of 98 km.

“At some places, permanent measures have been taken against erosion, but at some places, nothing has been done. I have directed the officials to come up with a plan for a permanent solution”, Siddaramaiah said.

Chief Minister also chaired a review meeting at the Udupi DC’s office.

Responding to BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel charge of ‘jihadi government’, the CM said, “He is a Vidhushak, and I will not react”. The CM said the district has suffered rain damage of Rs 35 crore and that additional funds will be released if required.

Siddaramaiah also paid a surprise visit to the D Devaraj Urs backward classes matric girls’ hostel and inquried about the facilities. He also spoke to the students and the hostel staff.