'Penalty Like Chopping Hands And Legs Be Imposed As Criminals Have Taken The Law For Granted': Karnataka HC

The Karnataka High Court refused bail to 23-year-old rape accused Gopi Reddy Karthik Reddy, and linked rising crime to what the Court views as weak enforcement of law. Justice R Nataraj said offenders are treating crime as routine because punishments are not strict enough under the existing legal framework.

During the hearing, Justice R Nataraj commented that people misuse the freedoms guaranteed in a democracy and suggested that harsher punishments, like in some middle-eastern countries, may ensure better compliance. The Court was considering a bail plea in a rape case registered in Udupi, involving a student from Manipal Institute of Technology.

Karnataka High Court rape case: judge’s comments on strict punishment and democracy

The judge observed that criminal acts appear casual and frequent as offenders feel the system lacks bite. “Law has lost its teeth because we don't deal with offenders firmly. That is why committing an offence has become so easy unlike in the middle-east. If you chop leg or hand, perhaps only then people will realise to comply with law. Because we have a democracy, everybody takes it (for granted),” the Court remarked.

Justice R Nataraj made these oral comments while hearing the bail petition of Gopi Reddy Karthik Reddy, a student of MIT Manipal, who has remained in judicial custody since April 5. The Court did not accept the request for immediate release and instead kept the petition pending for detailed consideration.

Karnataka High Court rape case: bail plea, custody and future hearing date

The Court issued notice to the State on the bail plea and asked for its response. The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on June 8. While rejecting interim relief, the judge remarked, “If you eat salt, you got to drink water. Let him stay another four-five days. Let him get used to the prison. Who knows, if you are punished, you may have to go back.”

Advocate Ayantika Mondal, representing Reddy, argued that Reddy has been in custody for nearly two months and denied that any offence occurred. Mondal submitted that the allegations arise from an incident said to have taken place almost three years earlier and claimed that continued detention could damage Reddy’s academic and professional future.

Karnataka High Court rape case: relationship history and allegation details

According to the prosecution, the complainant and Reddy studied together at Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal. The complaint records that Reddy expressed romantic interest in July 2023, which the woman initially accepted. Later, doubts arose about Reddy’s character, after which the complainant gradually withdrew from the relationship and limited contact.

The complaint states that on September 12, 2023, Reddy convinced the woman to visit the apartment where Reddy lived, saying they should discuss their relationship. Once inside, Reddy allegedly forced sexual intercourse against the complainant’s will. The woman said this incident caused serious emotional distress and depression, for which treatment was taken at KMC in Manipal.

The complainant later approached the National Commission for Women in Bengaluru before filing a formal police complaint. The case is registered at Udupi Women Police Station for offences under Sections 375(a) and 376 of the Indian Penal Code. “If you chop leg or hand, perhaps only then people will realise to comply with law.”

The matter now moves to the next hearing, where the Karnataka High Court will consider the State’s reply and the defence submissions on the rape allegations. Reddy remains in judicial custody as the Court balances claims about the impact on Reddy’s future with the seriousness of the charges described by the complainant.