Mysuru, October 15, 2025 – In a dramatic turn to one of Karnataka's most harrowing recent crimes, the third accused in the brutal gang rape of a 20-year-old college student surrendered before the Mysuru Rural Police on Wednesday morning, completing the arrest of all three perpetrators and intensifying calls for swift justice. The victim, a final-year B.Com student at a prominent private college in the city, broke her silence in an emotional video statement released by women's rights activists, demanding a "fast-track trial to end this nightmare" and vowing not to rest until the "monsters" face life imprisonment.
The assault, which shocked Mysuru's close-knit community, occurred on the night of October 8 when the survivor was allegedly lured to a secluded spot near Chamundi Hills by one of the accused—her senior classmate—under the pretense of a group study session. There, she was overpowered by the trio, who subjected her to a prolonged sexual assault before fleeing, leaving her injured and abandoned. The victim, hailing from a modest family in Hassan district, mustered the courage to file a complaint the next day, triggering a manhunt that culminated in today's surrender.
### Surrender and Police Custody: A Reluctant End to the Chase
The third accused, identified as 22-year-old Rahul Kumar (name changed for legal reasons), a local auto-rickshaw driver's son and the alleged ringleader, walked into the Nanjangud police station around 10:30 AM, accompanied by his lawyer and family members. Flanked by heavy security, he was immediately taken into custody and produced before the First Class Judicial Magistrate Court, where he was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody alongside his two accomplices, arrested on October 10 and 12 respectively. Superintendent of Police C. Narayanaswamy confirmed the development, stating, "The accused has confessed to his role and provided leads on the motive—a twisted sense of entitlement fueled by alcohol and peer pressure. Forensic evidence from the crime scene matches all three, and we're awaiting medical reports to strengthen the POCSO and gang-rape charges."
The first two arrests—campus security guard Vignesh (24) and fellow student Akash (21)—came swiftly after CCTV footage and the victim's detailed description led police to their hideouts. Kumar, who had been evading capture by hiding in nearby villages, reportedly turned himself in after his family, facing social ostracism and threats from vigilante groups, convinced him to "face the consequences like a man." All three, locals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, face charges under IPC Sections 376D (gang rape), 354A (sexual harassment), and relevant SC/ST Atrocities Act provisions, given the victim's backward community status.
Victim's Brave Voice: 'I Want Them Punished Before Diwali'
In a seven-minute video circulated by the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), the survivor—her face blurred and voice modulated for anonymity—spoke with raw determination from her hospital bed at KR Hospital, where she's undergoing counseling and treatment for trauma. "They thought they could silence me forever, but I'm fighting back. This wasn't just an attack on my body—it destroyed my dreams, my trust in people. I demand a fast-track court trial; I can't wait years for closure while they rot in jail with bail. Justice before Diwali, or I'll take this to the Supreme Court," she asserted, tears streaming as she clutched a photo of her late mother.
Her family, including an ailing father and two younger siblings, has relocated temporarily to a women's shelter amid online harassment and casteist trolls. "My daughter is our warrior now. The government must protect her and expedite the case—no more delays like in other rape trials," her father told reporters outside the court.
Political Storm and Public Protests
The case has galvanized Mysuru, with candlelight vigils at the college gates drawing hundreds of students and faculty, who boycotted classes on Wednesday to protest campus safety lapses. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, responding to Opposition demands, announced a ₹10 lakh compensation package and directed the Director General of Police to form a special investigation team (SIT) for the case, promising "zero tolerance for such beasts." However, BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra accused the Congress government of "failing women," citing a 25% rise in reported assaults in Karnataka this year and demanding the CM's resignation. "Fast-track is good, but where's the prevention? This is the third such incident in Mysuru in six months," Vijayendra posted on X, tagging the victim support hashtag #JusticeForMysuruStudent.
Women's groups like Vimochana have filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking a special POCSO court for the district, arguing the backlog of 300 pending cases delays justice for survivors. The college administration, under fire for inadequate night patrols, has suspended the accused's batchmates and installed additional CCTV, but students decry it as "too little, too late."
As the accused languish in Mysuru Central Prison, the survivor's plea echoes a national cry: for a system that doesn't just arrest, but accelerates healing. With the trial likely to commence next month under the fast-track mandate, Mysuru watches—and waits—for accountability to prevail over agony.
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