Gadag: Karnataka Police have arrested seven people, including a doctor and a staff nurse, in connection with the alleged rape of a woman with intellectual disability and the subsequent alleged illegal termination of her pregnancy in Gadag district, officials said on Saturday.

The arrested have been identified as Sikandar Bepari, Shabbir Ahmad Langoti alias Joona Saab, Pradeep Navalekar, Bharat Koravara, Sandeep, Nagaraj Kamatara and Rekha Shirahatti.

Woman allegedly assaulted repeatedly

According to police, Sikandar, Shabbir Ahmad, Pradeep and Bharat allegedly took the woman to an isolated location and sexually assaulted her repeatedly over a prolonged period.

The alleged crime came to light after the woman became pregnant and her family learned about the sexual assault. Police said the accused allegedly threatened the family and attempted to settle the matter by offering money.

Doctor, nurse allegedly helped arrange abortion

During the investigation, police allegedly found that the accused, with the assistance of Nagaraj Kamatara, a medical practitioner from Bellatti village in Lakshmeshwara taluk, and Rekha Shirahatti, a staff nurse at Shigli Government Hospital, arranged for the woman to undergo an abortion.

Police said Sandeep was also allegedly involved. The woman was reportedly made to consume 10 tablets to induce a miscarriage, after which the pregnancy was terminated.

Police are also investigating allegations by the victim’s family that some local community leaders and an SDPI leader attempted to facilitate the alleged illegal abortion and protect the accused.

Police search for medical shop owner

Police have launched a search for the owner of a medical shop who allegedly sold the abortion pills without a prescription.

Gadag Superintendent of Police Rohan Jagadish said no person involved in the case would be spared, regardless of their influence or position. He warned that anyone attempting to compromise the matter between the victim’s family and the accused or suppress the case would face legal action.

The investigation is continuing, and police are probing whether other people were involved in the alleged sexual assault and illegal termination of the pregnancy.