Man found guilty of rape and abduction of college girl

MANGALURU: The sixth additional district and session’s court on Tuesday found a man guilty of rape, abduction, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation. Quantum of punishment will be declared on Wednesday.
Irshad, 23, resident of Pandavarahalli in Bantwal taluk is the accused who abducted 18-year-old college girl, took to various districts in state and sexually assaulted her. The incident took place on June 20, 2015. One of the friends of Irshad had made a whatsapp group consisting of eight persons to share messages. In the group, Irshad with fake name ‘Rafa’ and pretending to be girl used to chat for few months. After somedays, victim left the group and Irshad with fake identity started sending her private chats.

Victim, who believed chatting person as a female, continued to caht in friendly manner. Irshad, who was aware of her birthday, sent a message to wish her and later told her that he would send a flower bouquet as gift. He said that it will be given by his cousin and victim agreed. Irshad went personally to deliver it to her. After few months, she joined a college in Mangaluru and used to share her travelling woes with Irshad, without realising he is chatting with fake identity.

On one such day, when she expressed that travelling to city in bus is a nightmare, Irshad said his cousin, who delivered her flower bouquet would to drop her to college. However, Irshad himself comes with a four-wheeler and abducted her from Maripalla. On the way, he confesses that he was that fake girl ‘Rafa’. Though she tried to escape but her efforts went in vain. Later, he takes the girl to Dharwad, where he threatens and sexually assaults her afterwhich victim is taken to various lodges in Gadag and Hubli.

Meanwhile, parents of Irshad as well victim who filed a missing complaint at respective police, trace them to Hubli. On reaching Manglauru, victim confesses about atrocity on her and she is subjected to medical examination, which proved sexual assault. Cases under Indian Penal Code 366,342, 376 and 506 were booked against him. Irshad was married and had kids.

Judith O M Crasta, Public Prosecutor, said that 22 witnesses were examined and several documents were produced. Accused Irshad’s signature at various lodges and witnesses from lodge workers helped.

District court after hearing of witnesses, convicted him in all section booked against him.