Kadra suicide case takes new turn; body exhumed for second post-mortem amid rape allegations

Karwar: The suicide case of a young woman from Kadra village in Karwar taluk has taken a dramatic turn, with her family alleging sexual assault and sustained harassment by the son of a local Janata Dal (Secular) leader.

Following mounting pressure and protests, authorities on Monday exhumed the body of Rishail D’Souza and conducted a second post-mortem examination to collect fresh samples. The victim’s family has alleged that she was not only harassed but also sexually assaulted by Chirag Kotharkar, the son of JDS leader Chaitra Kotharkar.

Unable to share her trauma with family members, the woman allegedly took the extreme step of ending her life. The family demanded a re-post-mortem, claiming serious lapses and inaccuracies in the initial autopsy report.

The exhumation was carried out at St. Anthony’s cemetery in Kadra village under tight supervision. Samples were collected in the presence of officials, the victim’s parents, and a Christian priest. Police sources confirmed that the process was videographed and conducted as per legal protocol to ensure transparency.

According to the complaint, the accused allegedly pressured the woman to be in a relationship, subjected her to repeated harassment, and later assaulted her. The family stated that these acts drove her into severe mental distress. They also questioned the initial post-mortem findings, which reportedly described certain injuries as “love bites,” triggering outrage among the family and the local community.

Meanwhile, protests erupted outside the Karwar Deputy Commissioner’s office, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused. Over 200 people, including Christian leaders and residents of Kadrah village, participated in the demonstration.

Protesters raised several questions, including the delay in arresting the accused, the identity of the doctor who termed the injuries as “love bites,” and why action was taken only against a PSI while senior officers were spared.

Responding to the developments, Karwar MLA Satish Sail said the first post-mortem report was “deeply painful and unacceptable.” He confirmed that the PSI concerned had been suspended for lapses and added that police officials had indicated possible action against higher-ranking officers, including the CPI and DySP.

“The Superintendent of Police has already submitted a detailed report to senior authorities. I have personally instructed the police to arrest the accused at the earliest,” Sail said.

Police stated that further action will depend on the findings of the second post-mortem and forensic reports. The case has intensified public scrutiny over police conduct, medical accountability, and the handling of crimes involving influential individuals.

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