A delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs from the state's coastal region met Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Friday and requested a probe by Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the case of nonconsensual recording of videos at a washroom in college in Udupi.
The case is related to the allegations of filming of a student without consent in the washroom of a paramedical college in Udupi. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ruled out the possibility of an SIT probe in the case.
A deputy superintendent of police (DSP)-rank officer is in charge of the case and four students have been booked so far. The BJP, however, has said that a "proper investigation" by a DSP-rank officer is impossible if there is pressure from the government.
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What did the BJP delegation say?
Besides seeking the SIT investigation into the Udupi filming case, the BJP delegation also drew Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's attention towards the "deteriorating law and order situation".
"Unfortunately, the government is conducting an investigation by a DySP (Deputy superintendents) level officer. If there is pressure from the government, a proper investigation by a DySP level officer is impossible. Therefore, we have demanded an SIT probe...As the government was hesitant on the issue, today we met the Governor, and requested him to direct an SIT probe," said senior BJP leader Kota Shrinivas Poojari, who led the delegation, as per PTI.
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Poojari further said Home Minister G Parameshwara spoke as if this issue was a joke and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has not taken the case "seriously".
Poojari said they also drew Gehlot's attention towards "deteriorating law and order situation, chaotic atmosphere", bail given to the girl students who filmed the video, and the possibility of their connections to Popular Front of India (PFI).
"We have requested to issue directions for a SIT probe, for a comprehensive investigation," said Poojari, as per PTI, adding that Gehlot has assured that he will issue appropriate directions.
What is the Udupi filming case?
The case relates to the alleged filming of videos of a female student in a washroom at a paramedical college in Udupi without consent.
Two FIRs have been filed in the case and four persons have been booked. A deputy superintendent of police (DSP)-rank officer is investigating the case.
Reports have said that the accused and the alleged victim are from the different communities and this has elicited sharp reactions and protests.
In the first FIR, three students of Netra Jyothi Institute of Allied Health College in Udupi, identified as Shabhnaz, Alfiya, and Aleema, have been booked for allegedly "recording a private video without consent and mishandling sensitive information and documents", reported India Today, adding that another person, Kalu Singh Chauhan, has been booked in the second FIR for allegedly "allegedly editing and uploading the video on the One India Kannada YouTube channel, making accusations without verifying the authenticity of the content".
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Chauhan had posted the same on his Twitter account as well and a case for causing communal enmity and spoiling social harmony has also been registered, reported India Today, citing a police statement.
