A shocking incident of abduction and sexual assault has come to light in Hubballi, leading to the arrest of three individuals. The crime, which was recorded on a mobile phone and circulated on social media, has sparked outrage and subsequent violence within the local community.
The Abduction and Assault
According to Police Commissioner N Shashikumar, the victim, a woman who had come to Hubballi from another district about a month ago after a quarrel with her husband, was living at temples like Siddharoodh Math. The alleged crime occurred on January 9. The accused, identified as Shivanand (29) and Ganesh Giddannavar (31), both residents of Shivashankar Colony and working as autorickshaw drivers and construction workers, reportedly took the woman from Ambedkar Stadium in Old Hubballi to a remote area in an auto.
There, they forcibly made her consume alcohol, misbehaved with her, and had physical contact with her. Crucially, the duo recorded their criminal act on a mobile phone.
Video Circulation Leads to Arrests
The case took a turn when the recorded video began making the rounds in various WhatsApp groups. Police authorities, upon learning of the video, planned to register a suo motu case. However, before they could do so, the victim herself came forward to file a formal complaint on Sunday.
Based on her complaint and the digital evidence, the police swiftly arrested the two primary accused, Shivanand and Ganesh. Additionally, they arrested a third person, Pradeep, for his involvement in sharing the incriminating video on WhatsApp groups.
Community Outbreak and Police Action
The incident triggered strong reactions within the local community. Before the police could formally arrest the suspects, some residents of Shivashankar Colony in Old Hubballi assaulted Shivanand and Ganesh. The residents alleged that the accused had brought a bad name to their colony by being involved in such a heinous crime.
In response to this vigilante action, the police registered another separate case against four people for assaulting the suspects. This move, however, irked a section of Old Hubballi residents, who staged a dharna (sit-in protest) at the police station. They alleged that the police had arrested four innocent persons who had actually secured the suspects and handed them over to the authorities.
Commissioner Shashikumar also provided background on the victim's situation, stating that she had left her home after her husband assaulted her and some neighbours who tried to intervene. Her husband is currently lodged in Shivamogga jail.
