Bhatkal: A sub‑inspector attached to the Manki Police Station in Honnavar taluk, Uttara Kannada has been arrested by the Bhatkal Town Police for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16‑year‑old girl. The arrest was made under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other applicable sections of law.

 

According to police, the accused officer, PSI Abhinandan Gowda, allegedly coerced the minor into accompanying him and later assaulted her at a private hotel on Bhatkal Bunder Road. In her complaint filed on 4 July, the survivor stated that the officer, despite knowing she was underage, repeatedly contacted her through phone calls and messages, offered monetary inducements, and gained her trust. On 31 May, he allegedly took her to Honnavar to attend a birthday function at a relative’s residence and subsequently brought her to the hotel, where the assault reportedly occurred.

 

On the day of the incident, police personnel had been provided accommodation at the same hotel due to an unrelated law‑and‑order situation in Bhatkal. During internal checks, suspicion arose regarding the officer’s movements. CCTV footage from the hotel was examined, following which Gowda was detained for questioning and later arrested.

 

Sources said the accused, a resident of Kankapur in Ramanagara district, joined the police force in the 2021 batch and was recently posted to the Manki Police Station as the officer responsible for law and order.

 

Senior officials described the allegations as extremely serious, noting that such conduct by a law‑enforcement officer severely undermines public trust in the police institution. According to sources, the department is treating the matter with utmost seriousness, and internal disciplinary proceedings are expected to follow.

 

The Bhatkal Town Police stated that the investigation is ongoing and all angles are being thoroughly examined