Mangaluru: District In-charge Minister U T Khader handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lakh as a reward for Panambur police, who through a swift action were successful in arresting seven accused in gang rape of a woman at Thota Bengre beach in Mangaluru.

The cheque was handed over to City Police Commissioner T R Suresh.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the reward was announced on the part of the citizens of Dakshina Kannada district. “I paid Rs 1 lakh from my salary on behalf of the citizens of the district. The police took over the case suo motu without receiving any complaint from the victim. Their swift action in arresting all the accused youth is praiseworthy,” he said.

He said that the victim is paid compensation of Rs 4.12 lakh from Karntaka State Legal Services Authority. The remaining Rs 4.13 lakh will be paid to the victim after the filing of a charge sheet to the court.

Condemning the heinous crime, Khader said he had appealed to the advocates not to defend the youth named in the gang rape case. “This was to ensure that offenders have a fear of law and fear that there is no one to defend them in the court to come out on bail. My statement on not to defend accused was to reflect commonman’s perspective and to instil a fear among anti-social elements that there is none to defend him in the court, to get bail.”