The high court on Thursday commuted the concurrent life sentences awarded to Abu Saleem, who was convicted of raping a minor, to seven years imprisonment.
A division Bench, headed by Justice K Shreedar Rao, observed that the facts of the case reveal that the accused and the victim knew each other and had consensual sex several times. “Therefore, the accused cannot be convicted for rape. However, the accused has ignored his social responsibility and defied the social order,” the Bench said and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on Saleem.
Saleem, a bus conductor, had asked Arathi to meet him. Arathi came to Belathangady with a friend and Saleem took them both to a forest near Gundlupet. While her friend was standing near the road, Saleem and Arathi went into the forest and returned after having sex.
However, Suresh and Aravind, who were acquainted with Arathi, took them to Moodbidri police station. The local police inspector summoned Arathi’s parents and asked them to take care of their daughter and warned Saleem before letting them go. Unable to face the humiliation, Arathi committed suicide the following day. A case was registered against Saleem and he was later convicted for raping a minor.
Rehabilitated: Government
The high court on Thursday adjourned hearing on the writ petition filed by Malleswaram market shop owners challenging the government’s move to demolish the market.
The government submitted that it will rehabilitate the shop owners.
Justice Nagamohan Das directed the government to specify its plans to rehabilitate the shop owners.
Government to review mayoral poll roster
The HC adjourned further hearing on a petition requesting the court to direct the state government to reserve the post of mayor or deputy mayor for a candidate belonging to Schedule Tribe, after the government said that it will reconsider the existing roster. Additional government advocate N B Vishwanath said the government is planning to review the roster.
Government told to file objections
The HC directed the state government to file its objections to a petition filed by 23 corporators and few syndicate members challenging the government’s decision to seek their resignations.
The government had directed the chairmen, presidents and other officer-bearers of various boards to resign as they were nominated by the previous government. Justice Nagamohan Das adjourned the case to June 27.