Mangaluru police have arrested seven people following a gang rape incident involving a junior college student near Kinnikambla in Gurupura Kaikamba. Investigations revealed that the perpetrators filmed the assault and subsequently distributed the footage.
According to the investigation, the victim established an online relationship with Karthik, one of the accused, via Instagram about two months before the incident.
On June 29, Karthik allegedly convinced the minor girl to accompany him on his scooter, using the promise of lunch at a hotel in Valachil, and subsequently drove her to the woods near Adyar Falls. There, he is accused of sexually assaulting her, with an accomplice also participating in the rape. The primary suspect recorded the assault and shared the video with friends.
The individuals arrested are Karthik, Rakesh Saldana, Jeevan, Sandeep, Rakshith, Shravan, and Suresh. Police have stated that the other five were apprehended for their role in circulating the video.
A legal case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Information Technology Act. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.