Woman seeks to drop assault case at Malpe harbour

A woman who was assaulted at Malpe harbour has requested local authorities to drop the case against those involved. The woman, along with a group of supporters, met with Udupi Deputy Commissioner Vidya Kumari K on Monday. They submitted a memorandum asking for the case to be withdrawn. The incident occurred after the woman was accused of stealing fish. She explained to reporters that a compromise had been reached on the day of the assault. However, the next day, police approached her for details and asked her to sign documents she could not read. She said she didn't know what happened afterward. Community members who accompanied her expressed their desire for the case to be dropped. They highlighted that the local fishing community has always helped each other and suggested that police only acted after a video of the assault went viral. The community noted that they have lived peacefully together for years. In response to the assault, five individuals were arrested. Additionally, the Udupi Superintendent of Police suspended two beat constables for failing to properly investigate the incident.