Mangaluru: A complex and controversial case has emerged from the Kombettu government degree college in Puttur taluk in Dakshina Kannada district after a first-year PUC student was hospitalised claiming that was attacked by a fellow student with a knife. The incident, which took place on the morning of August 20, saw the student being admitted to a government hospital with injuries she claimed were inflicted by a classmate. However, subsequent investigations have raised serious doubts about the authenticity of her story.
The student, who belongs to the Muslim community, initially accused a Hindu male classmate of the attack, leading to his and his friend’s detention by the police. According to the girl’s statement, the boy had followed her on Angadi Road, confessed his love for her, and then attacked her with a blade when she rejected his advances. The story, initially reported as a stabbing, later evolved into an allegation of a blade attack.
However, the police’s investigation has uncovered several inconsistencies in the girl’s account. Surveillance CC TV footage from multiple locations, including Sridhara Bhat Angadi Road, Sri Mahalingeshwar Temple Road, and the vicinity of Kombettu college failed to show any evidence supporting the student’s claim. Instead, the footage recorded the girl getting out of a rickshaw at Bolwar and walking towards the college, while the accused boy and his friend were seen walking near Nellikatte Road—nowhere near the alleged crime scene.
These discrepancies have led investigators to suspect that the entire incident may have been fabricated. When confronted with the CCTV evidence, the hospitalised student claimed the footage had been edited, further complicating the situation. Additionally, eyewitness reports from the college suggest that the student arrived at school without any visible injuries, casting further doubt on her allegations. The origin of the injury on her hand, which appeared later, remains a mystery.
Given the lack of corroborating witnesses, the police released the accused boy into the custody of his parents. Nevertheless, a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been registered against him based on the girl’s complaint. This has sparked outrage among some, who argue that it is unjust to file charges without substantial evidence of wrongdoing. Hindu organisation leaders have reportedly visited the boy’s home to offer support, suggesting that the incident may have been influenced by communal tensions.
District Superintendent of Police Yatish N told Organiser that the investigation is ongoing and promised a thorough, transparent inquiry. He visited the Puttur Nagar Police Station and addressed the media, stating, “We have registered a case at Puttur Women’s Police Station. The investigation is in progress, and we cannot reveal further details at this time. A transparent investigation is being conducted based on the law, and the truth will be revealed once the investigation is complete.”
Leaders of Hindu organisations alleged it is conspiracy to target talented Hindu youths and urged for thorough enquiry to unfold the motive behind making false claims by girl student̤
As the investigation continues, questions linger about the role of any organizations or individuals who might have influenced the student’s allegations. The police are working diligently to uncover the truth and determine whether the incident was genuinely a case of assault or a fabricated story with deeper motives. The results of the investigation are eagerly awaited, as they will have significant implications for the individuals involved and the broader community.
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