Bail Celebration For Gang-Rape Accused Triggers Outrage, Re-Arrests In Karnataka

Karnataka's Haveri witnessed a horrifying crime 25 months ago. Several men barged into the hotel room of an interfaith couple and dragged the woman to a nearby forest to gang-rape her. Fast forward to the present day, Haveri witnessed yet again a horrifying sight, this time accompanied by a triumphant public procession featuring bikes, cars, music and loud celebratory chants as seven of those accused men were granted bail.

A viral video showing the accused smiling and showing victory signs has sparked outrage on social media. The parade occurred in Akki Alur town of Haveri, where a convoy of motorbikes and cars accompanied the released individuals through local roads. 

Four of the seven main accused in the January 2024 Hangal gang rape case were re-arrested on May 23, Friday after videos surfaced showing them taking out a celebratory procession following their release on bail. 

Superintendent of Police for Haveri district, Anshu Kumar Srivastava, confirmed that a fresh case has been filed against the four individuals for unlawful assembly and rash driving. “We have registered cases and also submitted a request in court seeking cancellation of bail for all seven prime accused,” he told reporters.

The gang-rape victim was a 26-year-old woman who belonged to a minority community. She was reportedly in a long-term relationship with a 40-year-old Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) driver and had checked into a private hotel in Hanagal on January 8, 2024. 

The victim was dragged from the hotel premises and taken to a nearby forested location, where a group of men allegedly assaulted her. The seven primary suspects: Aftab Chandanakatti, Madar Saab Mandakki, Samiwulla Lalanavar, Mohammad Sadiq Agasimani, Shoib Mulla, Tausip Choti, and Riyaz Saviker have been granted bail by the Haveri Sessions Court.

Cars, music, victory sign and more: Released on bail, gang-rape accused in #Karnataka's Haveri given hero’s welcome.

More details 🔗https://t.co/wOW4hueJURpic.twitter.com/i9dMqJT0ES

— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) May 23, 2025

In total, 19 individuals, along with the seven prime accused, had been arrested in this case. Twelve others were allegedly involved either in supporting the crime or in physically assaulting the survivor. Twelve of the accused were released on bail nearly ten months ago. The remaining seven, considered the primary suspects, faced repeated bail denials until the recent court order. 

Key Accused Granted Bail After Survivor Fails to Reaffirm Identification

The case was initially registered as an incident of moral policing. Local police took this step because the survivor and her partner—an interfaith couple—had been staying together in a private hotel room. It was only after the survivor gave a formal statement before the magistrate on 11 January that the police added more serious charges.

A case was formally registered after the survivor’s detailed statement, during which she initially identified the suspects in an identification process. However, during later court proceedings, she reportedly failed to reaffirm the identities of the accused, which significantly weakened the prosecution’s case.