Anti-Goonda Act to be invoked against Vibgyor's predator

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said the police will invoke the Anti-Goonda Act on the 31-year-old skating instructor of Vibgyor High, Mustafa, who was arrested on Sunday in connection with the alleged rape of a six-year-old student.

Mustafa was arrested after eight other people were detained for questioning in connection with the alleged rape of a six-year-old student. "The Anti-Goonda Act will be invoked on Mustafa for the rape of the class one student of Vibgyor High, a school near Marathahalli. He has been involved in such cases in previous schools where he was employed," Siddaramaiah said in the Assembly.

The CM said the government has also decided to bring amendments to the existing Anti-Goonda Act to include persons committing crime for the first time too. "We have sent the proposal to amend the existing Act to the Law Department, and would introduce it in the House as soon as possible," he added.

He said the government also planned to increase the number of fast-track courts to expedite cases and give speedy justice to the survivors and their relatives. Responding to the demand made by JD-S member YSV Datta, Home Minister KJ George said the government has instructed the police to examine some steamy scenes in Bollywood film "Hate Story 2".

Raising the issue in the House, Datta said, "Films such as "Hate Story 2" emboldens criminals to indulge in sexual assaults. I request the Home Minister and the CM to examine some steamy scenes in
the film," said Datta.

Another JD-S member Shivalinge Gowda too asked the government to find ways to stop obscene television serials from being aired. "These serials are not fit to be watched in the house along with the family members,'' Gowda said.

George further said that the government has decided to set up 10 more fast track courts in addition to the existing as many courts and Law Minister TB Jayachandra is already in talks with the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, DH Waghela. "This will help in speedy disposal of rape cases," he added.

The home minister said the government had also decided to set up 10 more women police stations in the state by next year. "We also intend to set up women police stations in all districts," the home minister said. The government has instructed all senior police officers to conduct review meetings by visiting all police stations to tone up police's responsibilities, he said.

Raising the issue during a debate on the series of rape incidents taking place in the state, Opposition Leader Jagadish Shettar said the Home Minister has failed to strengthen the police force and should immediately tender his resignation. Former home minister and BJP member R Ashok also hurled allegations at the Home Minister, saying that he has failed to nip the bud at appropriate time, by delaying action against the rape accused in both, the Vibgyor High and the Frazer Town cases. The government had to face public wrath, which could have been avoided.

Former education minister and BJP member Aravind Limbavali lamented that the police has not yet booked Vibgyor High chief for delaying action against the accused.

"The Vibgyor High management knew about the incident. Despite that, they failed to take a prompt action and tried to bury the case. The government has not taken any action against them. They should punish the management without wasting any more time," Limbavali said.