Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 10 (ANI): Union minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday termed as "unfortunate" the kidnapping and gang rape of a schoolgirl in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka and said the State government should take steps to stop such incidents from happening in the future.

Speaking about the alleged gang rape of a minor girl in Bantwal on October 8, the union minister said: "It is an unfortunate incident. The accused have been arrested and will be equally punished."

Also Read | Yuzvendra Chahal Deserves To Be Part of India's T20 World Cup 2021 Squad, Here's Why.

"Karnataka Government has taken a timely proper legal decision. I will also advise the government to take appropriate steps to stop such incidents from happening in future again," he added.

A minor girl was allegedly gang-raped while she was on her way to school at Bantwal in Dakshina Kannada district on Friday.

Also Read | Lakhimpur Kheri Violence: Ashish Mishra, Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni's Son, Arrested After 12 Hours of Interrogation.

Four people have been arrested in the case, Karnataka Police said.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Sonawane Rishikesh Bhagwan said that a case has been registered under the POCSO Act and further investigation is underway. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)