Mangaluru Activist Arrested for Abetting Minor's Suicide; Court Orders Judicial Custody
A Mangaluru-based activist, Aneesh Poojary, has been arrested for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 17-year-old pregnant girl. He was produced before a local court on Thursday and remanded in judicial custody.
The girl died by suicide on Tuesday, leaving behind a death note naming Poojary as the reason for her extreme step. The victim's family accused him of sexually exploiting her under the promise of marriage and then distancing himself.
Initially, the Karnataka Police registered an Unnatural Death Report (UDR). However, following a formal complaint from the family, the case was converted into a First Information Report (FIR) under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code.
Poojary was part of a local activist group that the girl had approached for help, but she reportedly received no support from it. He had been absconding after the incident but was apprehended after a two-day search operation.
The police are investigating the circumstances leading to the suicide and the alleged exploitation.
