Karnataka

CID allegedly under political pressure not to file chargesheet against Raghaveshwara Bharati in rape case

Written by : TNM

The rape case against Raghaveshwara Bharati Swami of Ramachandrapura Mutt has hit a twin road block with the CID turning to the legal department while also being under political pressure to not file a chargesheet against the seer.According to a report in The New Indian Express, several political leaders including a former union minister from the Congress and a former JD (S) minister are exerting pressure on the CID to file a “B report”. A “B report” is an informal reference to the report filed by the police when they do not have enough evidence to file a chargesheet which would result in a trial.A singer who performed the Ramakatha events organized by the Mutt had accused Raghaveshwara Bharati of raping her on multiple occasions, and had even written to the President request the latter’s intervention in the matter.Read: Woman accusing Raghaveshwara Bharati Swami of rape writes to President for "justice"The New Indian Express reported that the CID also has a legal dilemma on whether or not it can file a chargesheeet against the seer based on the evidence they have. The Special Public Prosecutor B A Belliappa, however, has a different view and said that there was enough evidence to take the seer to court.The Express report quotes Belliappa as saying in a note to the CID: “The statement given by the victim before the magistrate under Section 164 of CrPC is as good as evidence unless it is demolished by the court during trial. Also, semen analysis based on the DNA test provided enough evidence in support of charges of rape. Hence, a chargesheet should be filed on charges of rape at the earliest.”The case has been controversial as five judges of the Karnataka High Court had recused themselves from hearing various petitions in the case.Read: Reasons 5 Karnataka High Court judges gave for recusing themselves from a rape case on a seerRaghaveshwara Bharati had sought to get the FIR accusing him of rape quashed in the High Court, which rejected his petition. 

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