BENGALURU — In a deeply unsettling turn of events that has sent shockwaves across Karnataka and beyond, seven men accused of gang-raping a 26-year-old woman were granted bail recently and celebrated their release with a jubilant victory procession through Akki Alur town in Haveri district, as reported by NDTV. The disturbing visual—a convoy of bikes, cars, and men flashing victory signs—captured on camera, has left many questioning the state of justice and social morality.
The case, originally filed 16 months ago, involved a violent assault wherein the woman, part of an interfaith couple, was dragged from a hotel and allegedly raped by a mob in a nearby forest. She and her partner, a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) driver, had checked into a private hotel on January 8, 2024, when a group of men reportedly broke in, citing “moral policing.”
Courtroom Setbacks and Judicial Bail
Despite the gravity of the charges, the prosecution’s case has been plagued by setbacks. During court proceedings, the survivor reportedly failed to confirm the identities of the accused during identification, weakening the prosecution’s argument significantly. Initially booked for trespassing and moral policing, gang-rape charges were added only after the woman gave a formal statement to the magistrate three days later.
As reported by NDTV, the Haveri Sessions Court recently granted bail to the seven prime accused: Aftab Chandanakatti, Madar Saab Mandakki, Samiwulla Lalanavar, Mohammad Sadiq Agasimani, Shoib Mulla, Tausip Choti, and Riyaz Savikeri. They had spent several months in judicial custody. The other twelve arrested in connection with the case had already secured bail nearly ten months ago.
The granting of bail, while procedurally lawful, has triggered a massive public backlash due to the manner in which it was celebrated. For the victim and activists alike, it appeared as a brutal mockery of justice.
Public Reaction and Political Silence
The video of the convoys, blaring celebratory chants and festivity in the town’s streets, has drawn severe criticism from social media users, civil rights groups, and women’s rights advocates. Many questioned how such a celebration could be allowed for accused individuals in a case involving such grave allegations.
“Justice is not just about courtrooms; it’s about the message we send as a society. And this message is horrifying,” said a women’s rights activist based in Bengaluru, responding to the NDTV report.
Despite the widespread outrage, there has been notable silence from the state’s top political leadership. The police, meanwhile, have reportedly not taken action against those involved in the parade, raising further concerns about impunity and systemic apathy.
