Belagavi Court Delivers Justice: 12 Sentenced to 5 Years for Heinous Assault on Dalit Woman
In a significant verdict, a local court in Karnataka's Belagavi district has sentenced twelve individuals to five years of rigorous imprisonment for the brutal stripping, parading, and assault of a 42-year-old Dalit woman in December 2023. The judgment, delivered on Wednesday, marks a crucial step in addressing caste-based violence in the region.
Details of the Conviction and the Accused
The court convicted the following residents of Hosa Vantamuri village in Belagavi district on Tuesday:
- Basappa, aged 45
- Raju, aged 52
- Kempanna, aged 52
- Parvathi, aged 37
- Yellavva, aged 67
- Lakkappa, aged 26
- Gangavva, aged 62
- Sangeetha, aged 35
- Santosh, aged 21
- Shobha, aged 49
- Lakkavva, aged 42
- Shivappa, aged 53
All were found guilty of participating in the horrific incident that shocked the community.
Background of the Assault Incident
The assault occurred early on December 11, 2023, in Hosa Vantamuri village, located approximately 9 kilometers from Belagavi. The victim was stripped, paraded naked, tied to an electric pole, and publicly assaulted by several members of a family in the village. This brutal act was a retaliation after her 24-year-old son eloped with their 18-year-old daughter.
The young woman's marriage to another man had been arranged by her family and was scheduled for December 11. Both families belong to the same tribal community, but the woman's family opposed the relationship because the man's family was not considered affluent and his father was viewed as an outsider.
Swift Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The incident took place during the Karnataka Assembly session, leading to immediate political fallout as the Opposition attacked the Congress government. In response, the Karnataka Government handed over the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on December 16, 2023.
Under the leadership of CID SP (Special Enquiry) Pruthvik Shankar, the investigation team completed the probe swiftly. They submitted the charge sheet on April 22, 2024, within just 133 days. The charge sheet cited 92 witnesses and produced 37 seized articles as exhibits to support the prosecution's case.
Judicial Intervention and Victim Support
Recognizing the gravity of the incident, the Karnataka High Court initiated suo motu proceedings in a writ petition. The court passed orders directing the competent court to complete the trial expeditiously within one year, ensuring a timely delivery of justice.
In a move to support the victim, the government allocated two acres of land to her under the Land Ownership Scheme by the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. This measure aims to provide some restitution and aid in her recovery from the trauma.
Community Impact and Broader Implications
In the days following the assault, many families in the tense Belagavi village kept their girls indoors, highlighting the widespread fear and disruption caused by the incident. This case underscores ongoing challenges related to caste discrimination and violence in India, while the court's verdict serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for such acts.
The sentencing of all twelve accused individuals reinforces the importance of a robust judicial system in addressing heinous crimes and delivering justice to victims, particularly from marginalized communities.
