Chikkamagaluru: A major controversy has erupted in Chikkamagaluru district after a Congress woman leader accused the police of failing to conduct a fair investigation in an assault case involving a leader from the same party. The victim, Chetana, who serves as the state women’s secretary of the Indian National Congress women’s wing, has alleged that the investigation is being deliberately weakened because the accused, Rahil Sharif, is also a Congress leader.
The incident reportedly took place on the night of February 28 at the Housing Board locality in Chikkamagaluru. According to the complaint, Rahil Sharif allegedly barged into the house where Chetana and her husband were staying and assaulted them following a dispute related to the house they had rented.
Chetana alleged that the accused attacked both her and her husband in a violent manner and later fled from the scene. Following the complaint, the police registered a case and launched a search operation to trace the accused.
The district police, under the leadership of Jitendra Kumar Dayama, Superintendent of Police of Chikkamagaluru district, formed a special team to track down the accused. The team led by Inspector Abhay Prakash conducted searches across several states.
According to police sources, Rahil Sharif allegedly attempted to escape from the country and was reportedly trying to flee to Nepal. He was eventually arrested in Ajmer, Rajasthan, while attempting to evade law enforcement authorities.
However, the controversy deepened after Chetana claimed that the accused was not being properly interrogated after his arrest. She alleged that instead of being subjected to a strict investigation, Rahil Sharif was admitted to the Mallegowda Government Hospital and was receiving protection.
“The police are not conducting a thorough investigation because the accused is a Congress leader. Instead of questioning him properly, he is being admitted to the hospital and protected,” Chetana alleged.
Expressing her dissatisfaction with the progress of the investigation, Chetana has now written a letter to Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, seeking justice and demanding an independent investigation into the case.
In her letter, she alleged that Rahil Sharif had previously been involved in several controversial incidents and claimed that there were disturbing materials on his mobile phone.
She further alleged that obscene videos of several Hindu girls were found on his mobile phone and claimed that he had attempted to manipulate or target young women in the past. “These matters must be investigated thoroughly. The central government should intervene and ensure that justice is delivered,” she reportedly stated in the letter.
Chetana also sought protection for herself and her family, claiming that they were facing threats after the incident. The case has now triggered a political debate in Karnataka, especially because both the victim and the accused belong to the same political party that is currently in power in the state.
Observers say the controversy raises serious questions about whether political influence is affecting the pace and direction of the investigation. Critics have also questioned how justice can be ensured when the victim herself is alleging bias and inaction by the authorities.
Meanwhile, police officials have stated that the investigation is ongoing and that necessary legal procedures are being followed. However, the allegations of police inaction and political interference continue to fuel debate in political and public circles, with many demanding a transparent and impartial probe into the incident.
