In her second visit to Bengaluru in connection with the Raghaveshwara Bharati Swami rape case on Tuesday, Lalitha Kumaramangalam, chairperson of National Commission for Women (NCW), blamed the police for going back on the promise of filing a chargesheet on the seer.
The Hindu quoted her saying, “If no concrete action is taken at the earliest, the NCW will intervene directly in the cases and ensure that the victims get justice.”
NCW Chief told reporters at a meeting that the police and state government have not handled the two sexual harassment cases against the seer well.
Looking at the current developments in Karnataka, it does not look like a safe place for the women, she said.
Disappointed at the police for not filing chargesheet (against the pontiff), she asked, “Why should filing of a chargesheet take so long? Even if the police are making a watertight case, why do they need an entire year?”
She said police negligence and lack of political will are seen in this case.
“It is unfortunate that the accused is still scot-free while the victims have to walk around with covered faces. Both the women are apprehensive of their safety and in this case, unfortunately, political will does seem to be lacking,” she added.
“The last time I met top police officers... they had assured of filing a chargesheet at the earliest. But nothing has been done till now... the victims have also told me that they are afraid for their lives as the accused is out on bail and even giving sermons inciting his followers against the victims,” she said.