Puttur BJP Leader’s Son Absconds in Sexual Assault Case, MLA Rai Backs Justice
Friday, July 4, 2025
Puttur, July 4, 2025: Congress MLA Ashok Kumar Rai has responded to allegations tying him to a sexual assault case involving Krishna J. Rao, the son of BJP leader P.G. Jagannivas Rao. The case concerns Krishna allegedly impregnating a former classmate under the promise of marriage, then disappearing. The woman has since given birth to a boy, with police planning a DNA test to confirm paternity.
Rai denies any claims that he shielded the accused. He says he initially urged both sides to resolve the issue amicably, based on promises from Krishna’s family that a marriage would happen. Now, with Krishna missing and his family refusing the marriage, Rai states he’s fully backing the victim’s family and wants justice through legal processes. He’s criticized attempts to politicize the incident and says the main concern should be the victim’s future. Rai also mentioned he’s been in touch with senior police officials to make sure the investigation moves forward quickly. Here is his detailed clarification.
Puttur BJP Leader’s Son Absconds in Assault Case, MLA Rai Backs Justice
Without a woman, there is no birth.
Without a woman, there is no journey.
Without a woman, there is no creation.
Without a woman, there is no journey.
Without a woman, there is no creation.
When I was born, it was a woman who held me with care and affection, nurturing me—she was my mother. When I was still a small child, it was a woman who lovingly looked after me and played with me—she was my sister. As I grew older and started going to school, it was women who corrected and guided me, teaching me the alphabet and imparting knowledge—they were my teachers. Later, when I became an adult, building my own life and engaging in my business endeavors, it was a woman who noticed my needs, stood as the pillar of my life, and dedicated her entire existence to me—she was my wife. Then, to multiply my happiness and give meaning to my life, another woman came into this world—she was my daughter.
Thus, the great power called woman has played a pivotal role at every stage and milestone of my life. Not just my life, but in every phase of every person’s life in this world, a woman’s role is ever-present. She carries, gives birth, nurtures, and protects. As a sister, wife, or daughter, she sanctifies our lives and makes them complete. A woman holds an unparalleled position in this world. Without her, creation itself would not exist. Therefore, I am someone who reveres a woman as the embodiment of strength and worships her as the mother of the universe.
However, recent developments in my hometown of Puttur have deeply shocked me. I, who have always given utmost respect and importance to women, have faced baseless accusations. Attempts have been made to portray me as anti-woman, and such efforts seem to continue. There have been allegations that I did not ensure justice for a victimized young woman, along with serious claims that "MLA Ashok Rai has sided with the culprits." Without any basis, my name has been dragged into this case, and attempts have been made to engage in dirty politics in Puttur. Although I have already issued statements to the media regarding this, the misinformation campaign against me appears to persist. Therefore, I find it necessary to provide a detailed clarification.
The recent incident in Puttur is not something civilized society can accept. A teenage girl, due to a relationship that began during her school days, became a victim and a mother without being married. Naturally, this case reached the police station. It was a highly personal matter that could have been resolved through mutual agreement between the boy’s and girl’s families, possibly through marriage. However, the future of two minors, not yet fully adults, was also at stake, requiring the case to be handled with sensitivity. But because the boy’s father is an active politician and a public representative, the case gained significant attention. When the case was being registered at the police station, the boy’s father sought my advice and assistance over the phone. He explained that they would resolve the issue amicably, ensuring that the boy and girl would act according to the law. However, since the boy was not yet of legal marriageable age, they promised to arrange the marriage as soon as he turned 21 in a couple of months. Only after this assurance did I speak to the girl’s family, requesting them not to file a police complaint or register an FIR immediately, as the boy’s family had promised to arrange the marriage once he reached the legal age.
As a father of daughters myself, don’t I care about this victimized young girl? Don’t I worry about her future? Not just her, but also the future of the child growing in her womb—shouldn’t we think about that too? If the boy or his family had refused to marry the girl, I would have stood by her family and supported them in filing a case. But at that time, the situation was different—the boy’s father had given me his word to arrange the marriage. My concern was that if the girl’s family filed a case then, it could create animosity between the two families, potentially derailing the marriage. If that happened, what would become of the girl’s future and that of the child in her womb? Even if the case were resolved legally with punishment for the guilty, would that truly fix the girl’s life or ensure a good future for her child? I was aware of these realities. My only concern was to resolve this matter amicably.
The assurances given by the boy’s father were also documented in a written undertaking submitted to the police station, which gave me some relief. I believed the matter had been resolved smoothly and amicably. In truth, my role as an MLA in such a personal matter was minimal. However, since the boy’s father is a local public representative, someone I know personally, and he approached me for help (despite being from an opposing political party), I offered advice purely on humanitarian grounds. Beyond ensuring that a police case was not filed at that moment, I did not influence the case in any other way. If the boy or his family had caused any trouble or betrayed trust, the girl and her family still had every right to pursue legal action, supported by the written undertaking provided by the boy’s father at the police station.However, recent developments in the case have caused concern. The boy, who was in the position of the accused, has gone missing. The victimized girl has given birth, and it is said that the boy’s family is now refusing the marriage.
The girl’s family has filed a police complaint. At this juncture, dirty politics has begun surrounding this case. I never imagined that a case involving the innocent love of two teenagers could be dragged to such a deplorable level of political mudslinging. My name was unnecessarily dragged into it, with accusations that I did not provide justice to the victim or stand by her suffering family. This has caused me immense pain. However, I now believe that resolving this case through dialogue is difficult, and a solution must be sought through legal means. I have already spoken directly with the SP and DYSP. I have always been and will continue to be on the side of the victimized girl and her family. I will do everything in my capacity to provide them with any assistance they need.
Personally, I want to say this: the life of the victimized girl should not be ruined; instead, it should shine like gold. Regarding this case in Puttur, I extend my full support and cooperation to the victim’s family. As an MLA and as an individual, I stand firmly behind them. I will make every effort to find a logical and permanent solution to this serious issue. I am always ready to provide any kind of help to the girl’s family. They can contact me without hesitation in any situation or for any issue.
Having served in public life for the past two decades and responded to the struggles of many helpless people, I do not need unsolicited advice from social media. I have seen the struggles of women up close. My only request to everyone is this: do not use such cases for politics, personal prestige, or publicity. Let us wish for the victimized girl’s future to shine brightly. Avoid causing her further mental distress through unnecessary debates on social media. What we must offer her now is courage and strength.
I have repeatedly clarified the purpose of my entry into politics. I have no interest in petty politics. My goal is development alone, and I have no faith in opportunistic political mudslinging. In my public life, I have always acted according to my conscience and will continue to do so.
| Ashok Kumar Rai, MLA, Puttur Constituency
Check his Kannada Clarification Face Book Post
However, recent developments in my hometown of Puttur have deeply shocked me. I, who have always given utmost respect and importance to women, have faced baseless accusations. Attempts have been made to portray me as anti-woman, and such efforts seem to continue. There have been allegations that I did not ensure justice for a victimized young woman, along with serious claims that "MLA Ashok Rai has sided with the culprits." Without any basis, my name has been dragged into this case, and attempts have been made to engage in dirty politics in Puttur. Although I have already issued statements to the media regarding this, the misinformation campaign against me appears to persist. Therefore, I find it necessary to provide a detailed clarification.
The recent incident in Puttur is not something civilized society can accept. A teenage girl, due to a relationship that began during her school days, became a victim and a mother without being married. Naturally, this case reached the police station. It was a highly personal matter that could have been resolved through mutual agreement between the boy’s and girl’s families, possibly through marriage. However, the future of two minors, not yet fully adults, was also at stake, requiring the case to be handled with sensitivity. But because the boy’s father is an active politician and a public representative, the case gained significant attention. When the case was being registered at the police station, the boy’s father sought my advice and assistance over the phone. He explained that they would resolve the issue amicably, ensuring that the boy and girl would act according to the law. However, since the boy was not yet of legal marriageable age, they promised to arrange the marriage as soon as he turned 21 in a couple of months. Only after this assurance did I speak to the girl’s family, requesting them not to file a police complaint or register an FIR immediately, as the boy’s family had promised to arrange the marriage once he reached the legal age.
As a father of daughters myself, don’t I care about this victimized young girl? Don’t I worry about her future? Not just her, but also the future of the child growing in her womb—shouldn’t we think about that too? If the boy or his family had refused to marry the girl, I would have stood by her family and supported them in filing a case. But at that time, the situation was different—the boy’s father had given me his word to arrange the marriage. My concern was that if the girl’s family filed a case then, it could create animosity between the two families, potentially derailing the marriage. If that happened, what would become of the girl’s future and that of the child in her womb? Even if the case were resolved legally with punishment for the guilty, would that truly fix the girl’s life or ensure a good future for her child? I was aware of these realities. My only concern was to resolve this matter amicably.
The assurances given by the boy’s father were also documented in a written undertaking submitted to the police station, which gave me some relief. I believed the matter had been resolved smoothly and amicably. In truth, my role as an MLA in such a personal matter was minimal. However, since the boy’s father is a local public representative, someone I know personally, and he approached me for help (despite being from an opposing political party), I offered advice purely on humanitarian grounds. Beyond ensuring that a police case was not filed at that moment, I did not influence the case in any other way. If the boy or his family had caused any trouble or betrayed trust, the girl and her family still had every right to pursue legal action, supported by the written undertaking provided by the boy’s father at the police station.However, recent developments in the case have caused concern. The boy, who was in the position of the accused, has gone missing. The victimized girl has given birth, and it is said that the boy’s family is now refusing the marriage.
The girl’s family has filed a police complaint. At this juncture, dirty politics has begun surrounding this case. I never imagined that a case involving the innocent love of two teenagers could be dragged to such a deplorable level of political mudslinging. My name was unnecessarily dragged into it, with accusations that I did not provide justice to the victim or stand by her suffering family. This has caused me immense pain. However, I now believe that resolving this case through dialogue is difficult, and a solution must be sought through legal means. I have already spoken directly with the SP and DYSP. I have always been and will continue to be on the side of the victimized girl and her family. I will do everything in my capacity to provide them with any assistance they need.
Personally, I want to say this: the life of the victimized girl should not be ruined; instead, it should shine like gold. Regarding this case in Puttur, I extend my full support and cooperation to the victim’s family. As an MLA and as an individual, I stand firmly behind them. I will make every effort to find a logical and permanent solution to this serious issue. I am always ready to provide any kind of help to the girl’s family. They can contact me without hesitation in any situation or for any issue.
Having served in public life for the past two decades and responded to the struggles of many helpless people, I do not need unsolicited advice from social media. I have seen the struggles of women up close. My only request to everyone is this: do not use such cases for politics, personal prestige, or publicity. Let us wish for the victimized girl’s future to shine brightly. Avoid causing her further mental distress through unnecessary debates on social media. What we must offer her now is courage and strength.
I have repeatedly clarified the purpose of my entry into politics. I have no interest in petty politics. My goal is development alone, and I have no faith in opportunistic political mudslinging. In my public life, I have always acted according to my conscience and will continue to do so.
| Ashok Kumar Rai, MLA, Puttur Constituency
Check his Kannada Clarification Face Book Post
Keywords: Puttur sexual assault case, Ashok Kumar Rai, BJP leader son, Krishna J. Rao, Karnataka MLA, victim justice, Puttur news, Congress MLA, DNA test, political controversy