Daijiworld Media Network – Shivamogga (RJP)
Shivamogga, Nov 7: Primary and secondary education minister Kimmane Ratnakar, who has been accused by the BJP of shielding the culprits in Nandita death case, has hit out at the opposition and challenged them to take oath before god if they felt they were right.
Kimmane is very specific this time. He has named former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa , Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Shobha Karandlaje, Rajya Sabha member Ayanuru Manjunath, former MLA Araga Jnanendra, Sandesha Javali from Thirthahalli town Panchayat and Bajrang Dal leader Santosh Kumar.
Kimmane went to the extent of saying “May God punish these people who have been falsely accusing me. I will go to Dharmasthala and pray to Sri Manjunatha, so that these people are punished by him.”
He visited Sri Rameshwara, Venkataramana Swamy, Kallare Ganapathy and Marikamba temples in Thirthahalli and prayed there with his followers. He offered Rs 1001 at the temples. He uttered his innocence during his prayers.
He asked his opponents to go to Dharmasthala and prove their innocence in the temple by saying they were right. He challenged them to make accusations against him in the temple. He said that if any of the accusations are proved to be right, he would resign. He asked his opponents if he was not wrong, then they should resign.
Kimmane said that he believed in God and within 15 days truth would come out.
Meanwhile Thirthahalli has returned to normalcy. IGP Pranav Mohanty and S P Rajappa led CID team has been busy in the investigations. They visited various places including the house of the deceased, her school and the hospital she was admitted in Thirthahalli.
Umashree, the minister for women and child welfare minister visited Nandita’s house and met deceased Nandita’s parents. Umashree has requested the public not to listen to rumours.
'No evidence of sexual assault' : DG & IGP
Bengaluru, Nov 7 (DHNS): DG & IGP Lalrokhuma Pachuau on Thursday confirmed that there was no evidence of sexual assault on Nandita, a class 8 student from Thirthahalli, who died under mysterious circumstances. The 14-year-old girl was brought dead at Kasturba Medical College Hospital in Manipal, near Udupi, on October 31.
“An FIR was lodged in Thirthahalli police station on November 1 and all investigation effort is being done by the police in proper perspective since the day the case was reported. A post-mortem has been conducted as per procedure at KMC, Manipal. As per the treating doctor’s opinion, death took place due to cardiac arrest. The treatment certificate issued on November 3 by KMC, Manipal, revealed intact hymen with no evidence of sexual assault,” Pachuau’s statement said, adding that a few suspected persons have been subjected to interrogation in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, various organisations under Bangalore Malenadina Sanghagala Okkoota’ on Thursday held a protest at Freedom Park, demanding immediate arrest of the suspects in the mysterious death of Nandita. The police dispersed the protesters when they attempted to take out a silent march towards the chief minister's residence.
Normalcy returns
Normalcy returned to Thirthahalli town in Shimoga district on Thursday, after a spate of bandhs and violence over the mysterious death of a 14-year-old girl. No untoward incident was reported from the town.
Schools and colleges which were closed down till November 5 following violent incidents, functioned as usual on Thursday. However, the prohibitory orders imposed by police under the section 144, within 5 km radius of the town, will remain in force till November 10.
Investigation expedited
The CID team has expedited the investigation into the case. The investigating officers reportedly visited the government high school where the girl was studying in Class VIII, and inquired teachers. Besides, they also interacted with the victim’s classmates.
George’s remarks
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday downplayed Home Minister K J George’s statement that media was highlighting only rape cases, and said that it was not proper to glorify such news.
Siddaramaiah said the government had taken rape cases seriously and tough measures had been taken in this regard. A CID probe has been ordered into the Thirthahalli rape case, he added.