In Karnataka Udupi District Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar has warned of strict legal action against those spreading defamatory content and sharing private photographs of a rape survivor on social media in connection with the suicide of Pradeep Poojary of Perdoor.The police have already identified around 150 social media accounts involved in posting and circulating such content.
Addressing the media, the SP presented video recordings, audio recordings and scientific evidence related to the case. He expressed concern over derogatory posts targeting the survivor over the past two days, stating that private photographs of the woman and Pradeep Poojary were being circulated to damage her reputation and affect her mental health.He said such actions were clear violations of the law. Targeting survivors in this manner could discourage other women from approaching the police to report similar crimes.”Pradeep Poojary’s suicide is unfortunate. However, injustice to the survivor cannot be justified in the name of seeking justice for him,” the SP said.
The SP explained the sequence of three incidents involving Pradeep Poojary and the survivor.November 10, 2020: The survivor was travelling on her scooter when Pradeep allegedly intercepted her in a car, threatened to kill her if she refused to marry him and obstructed her. Based on her complaint, a case was registered at Hiriyadka Police Station, and Pradeep was arrested. November 29, 2025: After being released on bail, Pradeep allegedly dragged the woman into a forest area while she was travelling on her scooter, threatened to crush her head with a stone and raped her. A case was registered at the Women’s Police Station, and he was arrested. The SP said the woman’s complaint, doctors’ statements and scientific evidence established the offence. A chargesheet was subsequently filed before the court.
October 28, 2026: After being released on bail again, Pradeep allegedly attacked the woman at her residence at night when she came out after taking a bath. He was reportedly carrying chilli powder and clothes and attempted to kill her. When her mother intervened, he allegedly threw chilli powder into her eyes.
The SP clarified that Pradeep had not been abducted or forcibly taken to the woman’s house, contrary to claims circulating on social media.According to him, the survivor had recorded an audio clip during the third incident, in which Pradeep could be heard stating that he had come to kill her. The same statement was also reportedly recorded in the police video.
He said the investigation had found no evidence to support allegations that Pradeep was abducted and brought to the house before being assaulted.Police have also recovered evidence confirming his presence at the survivor’s residence, including the clothes and chilli powder he had allegedly brought with him.During the third incident, when Pradeep allegedly attempted to kill the woman, her mother alerted relatives. Subsequently, around seven to eight people reached the spot and allegedly assaulted him. Police later shifted Pradeep to a hospital.Although Pradeep had filed a complaint, the Hiriyadka Police Sub-Inspector reportedly accepted only the complaint instead of registering an FIR.The SP said disciplinary action had already been initiated against the PSI for dereliction of duty.
The officer has been relieved of his duties and directed to report to the Western Range Inspector General of Police. An inquiry is being conducted under the supervision of the Additional Superintendent of Police.Further disciplinary action will follow if additional lapses are established. The PSI will also not be allowed to continue working at Hiriyadka Police Station.Two separate cases have been registered in connection with the assault on Pradeep Poojary and the alleged abetment of his suicide.
The investigation has been transferred from Hiriyadka Police Station to Manipal Police Station and is being led by Police Inspector Mahesh Prasad.Four to five special teams have been formed to trace and arrest the accused. The SP assured that strict legal action would be taken and nobody would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.SP Hariram Shankar also revealed that the survivor had undergone four weeks of psychological counselling following the alleged rape and had subsequently recovered from the trauma.
She had left her previous job and was working in another town. On the night of the latest incident, she was scheduled to return to her workplace in another town and had already booked her bus ticket.”Unfortunately, the incident occurred just 15 minutes before she was scheduled to leave,” the SP said.
