Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur

Puttur, July 8: A complaint alleging that a young woman was threatened with a knife while she was on her way to work in Puttur has taken a new turn, with police registering two separate cases following a counter complaint by the youths accused in the incident.

Police said a detailed investigation is under way and that appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings. They have also warned that action would be initiated against those spreading false information regarding the incident.

According to police, the woman, a resident of Puttur, was travelling to work at around 6.45 am on July 8 when she allegedly saw Sohail, a person known to her who had studied with her in college, standing with a knife at Purusharakatte.

Puttur women's police station (file photo)

She reportedly suspected that Sohail and four of his friends were following her in a vehicle and approached the Puttur Women's Police Station with a complaint.

In her complaint, the woman alleged that she had parked her scooter at Purusharakatte before travelling to Mangaluru for work when a group of youths confronted her, brandished a knife and threatened her.

She further alleged that after she fled the spot in an auto, the youths followed her in a Thar vehicle with around six occupants and again threatened her.

The alleged incident was reportedly captured on a nearby CCTV camera, which shows the youths holding a knife.

Youths claim knife was taken from bakery, allege false case attempt

During the inquiry, the youths reportedly told police that they had purchased bread from a bakery and taken a knife from the bakery to spread cheese on it. They claimed that they were returning the knife to the bakery and had not engaged in any criminal activity. They further stated that they later went to the gym as part of their daily routine.

The youths have also filed a counter complaint at the Puttur Town police station, alleging that despite being aware of the actual facts, Murali Krishna Hamsathadka, who is associated with an organisation, and others were attempting to get a false case registered against them through the woman with a malicious intention arising out of religious hostility.

Police said both complaints have been registered and will be investigated thoroughly before further action is taken.