Shivarama Reddy, the serial rapist Bengaluru cops allow to wander free

The recent arrest of serial sexual offender Shivarama Reddy once again unveiled the sad state of women safety in India and the endless loopholes India’s legal system has. In last three years, a minimum of 16 cases have been registered against him, and according to police estimation, he is involved at least 30 rape cases in east, north, south and south-east police divisions, besides in Bengaluru Rural.

On March 7, Shivarama Reddy was arrested after a gunfight that left Reddy and also a few police officials injured. His arrest came after a woman filed a case of assault at knifepoint by Reddy at the HAL police station on March 5. This incident happened at a PG accommodation. 

Interestingly, three days before this on March 2, he allegedly raped another woman in her PG accommodation near the Kundalahalli Gate.  

Earlier, Shivarama Reddy was arrested in 2014 for allegedly raping a techie in another PG accommodation in Electronic city of Bengaluru and got out on bail after a year. Most recently, he was arrested in the month of January this year, and within two months he got out on bail and targeted women living in PGs in the area that falls within the jurisdiction of HAL police station.

Despite the nature of his offence, Reddy was imprisoned under the Goonda Act. As per this act, habitual offenders are sent to jail for a minimum of one year period. Also, criminals convicted under this Act are eligible to get bail after spending a year in imprisonment. The convicts are also eligible for securing conditional release. 

When the victim of the March 5 incident went to the HAL police station, investigating officer, Sadiq Pasha, suspected that the attacker was none other than serial rapist Shivarama Reddy. He showed the victim a photo of Reddy, and she confirmed the police officers suspicion. 

However, according to reports, the police dissuaded the victim and her friends from registering a case against accused. Through Facebook posts, the friend also alleged that the police had offered India vs. Australia test match tickets to the victim and her friend to drop the matter. 

These allegations have been denied by the police, but the fact that Shivarama Reddy has been able to get out on bail on multiple occasions show that the city police have failed to make a strong enough case against him in the court of law.  

• Serial rapist
• Shivarama Reddy
• Bangalore PG assault