Under Trial Prisoner Commits suicide at sub-jail
Mangaluru: An under-trial prisoner, accused in a rape case committed suicide by hanging to the window grill, at the district sub-jail here, on September 7.
The deceased has been identified as Keshav (28), a resident of Vittal.
On September 7, early morning, Keshav was in the kitchen to prepare breakfast. He committed suicide by hanging to the kitchen window grill.
Keshav was arrested on rape charges in March 20, 2016.
According to sources, on March 20, 2016, Keshav Gowda along with Harish Poojary and Varun, gang raped a Dalit girl at Panjikallu, Bantwal Taluk. After raping the girl Harish Poojary and Varun fled from the spot. But the locals caught Keshav who was at the spot and handed him over to the police. Later Harish and Varun were also arrested.
Speaking to mangalorean.com, Keshav Gowda’s brother Mahalinga said, “My brother was always saying that he was not involved in the rape case. On March 20, Harish and Varun had taken Keshav’s bike. But they did not return the bike till 10:00 pm. Keshav went searching for his bike and found the bike along with Harish and Varun who he found raping the girl. As soon as they saw Keshav they fled from the spot but Keshav was caught by the locals. He was arrested on rape charges and was facing trial”.
Mahalinga further said, “When he was arrested he pleaded with the police that he did not commit any crime, he had just gone in search for his bike whereas Harish and Varun had raped the girl. He was even speaking about it, with the inmates. Several times he had requested the jail authorities to release him on bail. It may be one of the reasons that Keshav ended his life”.
Is his version corroborated by statements of rape victim? Did police look into this? Well, if it’s true, it’s really sad that it came to this point ending his life. This is also a good lesson for everyone to be more cautious before letting others use our property.