In a significant move to maintain public order, the Savanur assistant commissioner has mandated the externment of six individuals linked to the notorious Hangal gang-rape case. The accused have been ordered to relocate to Yadgir district for a full year, a decision driven by serious concerns over potential threats to law and order in Haveri district.
Details of the Externment Order
Savanur assistant commissioner Shubham Shukla issued the formal externment directive following a petition submitted in June 2024 by the district superintendent of police. The police sought the expulsion of the accused from Haveri, citing their alleged ongoing intimidation of witnesses and disruptive behavior even after being released on bail.
The list of externed individuals includes Sameeullah Lalanavar of Akki Alur, identified as a prime accused in the case which involves seven individuals. The others named in the order are Aftab Chandankatte, Madarsab Mandakki, Mohammad Sadiq Agasimani, Shoaib Mulla from Akki Alur, Tausif Choti, and Riyaz Savikeri.
Strict Conditions for the Accused
The externment order imposes rigorous restrictions on the movements and activities of the six men. They are legally required to report daily at the Hunasagi police station in Yadgir district. Furthermore, they must inform the police station whenever they need to travel for court hearings related to their pending cases.
Their entry into Haveri district has been severely curtailed. They are permitted to enter only through specifically designated routes, which include passages via Muddebihal, Hunagund, Gadag, and Hubballi. This measure is intended to monitor their movements closely and prevent any unauthorized presence in the area of the original crime.
Background of the Case and Controversial Bail
The case originated on January 11, 2024, when the Hangal police registered a First Information Report (FIR) concerning the gang rape of a woman near Nalkur Cross, close to Akki Alur. All the accused were subsequently arrested, and after a thorough investigation, the police filed a chargesheet against them.
Although the accused were recently granted bail, their release sparked immediate controversy. They were seen parading from Haveri sub-jail to Akki Alur in an open jeep while raising slogans, an act that was widely condemned and raised alarms about their potential to influence the community and intimidate those involved in the legal proceedings.
Police authorities have consistently accused these men of threatening witnesses connected to the case. Specifically, Sameeullah Lalanavar faces multiple other charges, including teasing girls, kidnapping, and inciting riots, with three separate cases already registered against him. Law enforcement officials stated that he has repeatedly engaged in unlawful activities and has a negative influence on local youth.
After meticulously reviewing all police records and reports detailing the past conduct and ongoing threats posed by the accused, Assistant Commissioner Shubham Shukla deemed the externment necessary for preserving peace and ensuring a fair trial process.
