Political Storm Erupts Over Alleged Protection of POCSO Accused in Belagavi
A serious political controversy has erupted in Karnataka's Belagavi district, with former MLA Sanjay Patil levelling grave allegations against a sitting minister. On Tuesday, the senior BJP leader claimed that Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar is actively protecting individuals accused of sexually assaulting minor girls within her Belagavi Rural assembly constituency.
Allegations of Political Pressure in Belagundi Village Case
Patil specifically referenced a recent and disturbing incident from Belagundi village. In this case, a school headmaster was accused of misbehaving with a high school girl. According to Patil, the police had initially taken the matter seriously, registering a suo motu case and invoking the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
"Despite the gravity of the offence, the accused was released on station bail," Patil alleged while speaking to the media. He directly attributed this action to pressure from Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, further accusing her of maintaining a deliberate silence on the entire issue.
Viral Evidence and Claims of Case Dilution
Labeling it a serious miscarriage of justice, the former MLA stated that videos and audio clips related to the Belagundi incident had gone viral on social media platforms. "I am ready to provide this evidence to the police," he asserted. He argued that the accused should have been immediately arrested and jailed, but instead, due to ministerial interference, the police are now allegedly attempting to close the case.
Patil expanded his allegations beyond this single instance, claiming a pattern of political interference. He cited several other cases where charges were allegedly diluted or investigations closed under pressure. As an example, he mentioned the suicide of an FDC employee in the Belagavi tahsildar's office.
In a more alarming claim, Patil stated he had received information that the victim's family in the Belagundi case was being threatened to prevent them from speaking out. He called upon the police to perform their duty without fear or favour and specifically urged City Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase to take a clear stand, reminding him that he is answerable to the public.
Public Outrage and Assault on Accused
The public anger over the Belagundi incident was palpable and immediate. When the news broke a week ago, hundreds of villagers gathered near the school and physically assaulted the accused headmaster. The police had to intervene and struggle to rescue the man from the angry mob, highlighting the community's fury.
Concluding his remarks, Sanjay Patil vowed to continue raising his voice against crimes involving minors, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice, free from political manipulation. The allegations have set the stage for a major confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition in the state.
