A week after a 17-year-old girl from Belagavi accused KSRTC conductor Mahadevappa Hukkeri of sexual harassment, her family announced in a video statement on Tuesday that they would withdraw the allegation.
The girl’s complaint led to the conductor being charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. The incident initially arose from a dispute between Hukkeri and two students, including the minor, over a language issue, as the conductor insisted on speaking Kannada rather than Marathi. The altercation escalated into an interstate conflict between Karnataka and Maharashtra.
In the video statement, the girl’s mother clarified that the dispute was related to a ticket issue, not a language disagreement. “We have no issues with Kannada. This matter is being falsely portrayed as a language dispute,” she said, expressing concern over the misinformation being spread. “Our daughter has faced injustice, and due to the current circumstances, we are withdrawing the case,” she added.
Belagavi Police Commissioner Ada Martin confirmed the development, noting that the process to officially withdraw the case had not yet started. “The family must record their statement at the police station, and the legal procedures must be followed before the case can be closed,” he explained.
The incident began when Hukkeri reportedly clashed with the two students, who were returning home from college. He asked them to converse in Kannada, as he didn’t understand Marathi, which led to the argument. The situation was further complicated when pro-Marathi groups accused the conductor of refusing to speak in Marathi. The matter became more contentious after Hukkeri was allegedly assaulted by four people last Friday, leading to the filing of the Pocso case.
This controversy sparked protests and violence, including stone-pelting, defacement of buses, and demonstrations in both Karnataka and Maharashtra. In response, the North West Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation suspended bus services from Bagalkot and Vijayapura to Maharashtra starting Tuesday, while services from Belagavi, halted earlier, remain suspended.
Authorities have taken action, with a police inspector being transferred for failing to report the Pocso case to higher officials. Karnataka’s Home Minister G Parameshwara confirmed that a review of the case has been ordered. “I have asked for a detailed report from the zonal inspector general of police and the superintendent of police,” he said.
Regarding the ongoing protests, Parameshwara stated that while demonstrations were allowed, any violence would result in strict action. “Currently, Maharashtra government buses are not entering Karnataka, and Karnataka buses are not operating in Maharashtra. Services will resume once the situation normalizes,” he added.
