Don't agree with home minister's remarks over Mysuru gangrape case, says Karnataka CM

Basavaraj S Bommai disapproved of the comments made by Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra that the girl and her male friend should not have gone to the deserted place.

Basavaraj Bommai (Image: Facebook)

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai on Thursday said his government will form a special team to investigate the case of gang-rape of a college student in Mysuru and asserted that the perpetrators will be caught soon and brought to justice.

"Once the DGP (Director General of Police) and I reach Bengaluru, we will immediately form a special team," the chief minister, who was on a two-day visit to the national capital, told PTI.

"We will not compromise (on the investigation)," he said.

Bommai also disapproved of the comments made by Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra that the girl and her male friend should not have gone to the deserted place and that the opposition Congress was trying to "rape" him by targeting him over the incident.

"I just don't agree with the comments made by my Home Minister regarding the gang-rape incident. I have advised him to give clarification," the chief minister said, adding "I have directed the officials to pursue the matter seriously and update me on the developments."

Talking to reporters earlier, Bommai said, "It's an unfortunate incident. My government has taken it seriously. The perpetrators will be caught soon and brought to justice."

The college girl was allegedly raped by five men near Chamundi Hill in Mysuru late on Tuesday and the incident came to light on Wednesday.

The girl and her male friend, who was assaulted by the gang, are undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

Reacting to the opposition Congress' criticism of the state government on the law and order situation, Home Minister Jnanendra said, "Rape has happened there, but the Congress was trying to rape me, they are trying to rape the Home Minister. They are trying to gain political mileage. It is an inhuman act."

"Around 7-7:30 pm (on Tuesday) they (the girl and her male friend) had gone there. It is a deserted place, they should not have gone, but we can't stop anyone from going... It is a deserted place and no one usually goes there as no one will be there," Jnanendra said in response to a question.