Udupi: Police Identify 150 Accounts Over Online Trial Of Rape Survivor

Udupi: Udupi Police have identified around 150 social media accounts allegedly involved in circulating the private photographs of a rape survivor and subjecting her to online harassment, Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said on Monday.

Warning of strict action against those responsible, he said the online harassment- social media trial- amounted to a violation of the survivor’s dignity and is a crime under Section 72 (1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Briefing the media, Shankar said the woman had been subjected to three separate incidents involving Pradeep Poojary, against whom cases including sexual assault and an alleged attempt to murder her have been registered.

According to the SP, the first incident occurred on November 10, 2025, when Poojary allegedly stopped the woman while she was riding a scooter and threatened to kill her.

The next incident was on the morning of November 29, 2025, when Poojary allegedly took the woman forcibly to a forest area, threatened her and sexually assaulted her. A separate case was registered in this connection. Medical examination and scientific evidence confirmed the sexual assault, and a chargesheet was subsequently filed before the court, the SP said.

“The survivor had undergone psychological counselling for four weeks after the sexual assault, he added.

In the third and the recent incident on October 28, this year, Poojary allegedly attacked the woman and allegedly attempted to kill her. When her mother intervened, he allegedly threw chilli powder at her.

The survivor’s mother had allegedly alerted relatives when Poojary came to their house. Around seven to eight people arrived and assaulted him. Police reached the spot and shifted Poojary to a hospital. He subsequently lodged a complaint, based on which a non-cognisable report (NC) was registered.

The SP said the sub-inspector concerned, who had registered an NC instead of an FIR had been removed from duty, and the Additional Superintendent of Police was conducting an inquiry into the police response. Further action would be taken if any lapses were established. The officer would also not be allowed to continue at Hiriyadka police station, he said.

Poojary later died by suicide, following which a case of abetment to suicide was registered. Four to five special teams have been formed to trace and arrest those accused in the case.

Expressing concern over the social media trial of the survivor since the last 2 days, the SP said it was particularly disturbing that her private photographs were being circulated even though the sexual assault case was supported by evidence and a chargesheet had been filed.

Around 150 social media profiles had been identified for allegedly sharing the photographs and spreading defamatory content. Strict action would be taken against those found involved, he warned.