Haveri, Karnataka – May 23: A wave of public outrage has swept across Karnataka after a group of individuals accused in the 2024 Hanagal gang rape case staged a celebratory procession in Haveri district following their release on bail.
A widely circulated video on social media showed the accused leading a victory parade involving a convoy of cars and motorcycles through the streets of Akki Alur, triggering widespread condemnation and concern over the optics of the celebration amid ongoing legal proceedings.
The seven individuals—Aptab Chandanakatti, Madar Saab Mandakki, Samiwulla Lalanavar, Mohammad Sadiq Agasimani, Shoib Mulla, Tausip Choti, and Riyaz Savikeri—were recently granted bail by the sessions court in Haveri. The court’s decision reportedly followed the survivor’s inability to positively identify the accused during proceedings.
The case, which dates back to January 2024, involved grave allegations. A woman reported that she and a companion were assaulted in a lodge in Hangal for belonging to different faiths. According to the complaint, the accused subsequently abducted the woman and allegedly gang-raped her in a forested area near Nalkuru Cross. The charges of gang rape were added after her formal statement was recorded under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code before a magistrate, according to Haveri Superintendent of Police, Anshu Kumar.
The release and subsequent public display by the accused have drawn sharp criticism from several quarters, including political leaders and civil society groups. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai condemned the incident and criticized the state government’s handling of the case, calling for accountability and swift justice.
Legal experts and rights activists have also raised questions about the implications of such public displays by accused individuals and the potential intimidation it may pose to survivors and witnesses.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns surrounding gender-based violence, victim protection, and the need for a more sensitive and vigilant approach to cases involving sexual assault. Public calls for stricter judicial oversight and urgent reforms in handling such sensitive matters have grown louder in the wake of this incident.
Authorities are yet to announce whether the celebratory conduct of the accused will result in any legal repercussions.
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