Bengaluru: In a press conference on Saturday, former BJP chief minister Basavaraj Bommai called for the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to look into recent gang rape incidents. He criticized the Congress government, accusing them of hindering police investigations into such cases, and urged the authorities to empower the police to handle these matters independently.
Addressing the media, Bommai emphasized the need for senior police officers to lead investigations into these incidents and insisted on the timely filing of charge sheets to ensure swift justice for the victims. The BJP leader, who represents Shiggaon in Haveri district, spoke in response to the alleged gang-rape of a Muslim woman involving an interfaith relationship in the district.
Expressing concern over the progress of the investigation, Bommai questioned the limited number of arrests made in connection with the Haveri incident, emphasizing that only three individuals had been apprehended thus far. He criticized the state’s law and order machinery, describing it as having “collapsed completely.”
Referring to recent data, Bommai highlighted a 30% increase in crimes against women, citing a rise in rape, extortion, and violence. He raised alarms about the safety of women in rural areas, alleging that many cases involving women had been concealed, with the police adopting a passive role.
Bommai directed strong criticism towards the government, particularly Home Minister G Parameshwara, questioning whether the police were instructed to file cases based on the religious affiliations of the individuals involved. Accusing the Haveri police of attempting to suppress the case, he asserted that a segment of society in Haveri felt untouchable, prompting him to question who the government was protecting and whether there was a special rule for the minority community.
As a former home minister, Bommai went on to assert that police stations in rural areas had devolved into “collection centres,” with inspectors allegedly endorsing illegal activities. His remarks underscored a broader concern about the deteriorating state of law enforcement in the rural regions.
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