Belagavi Court Delivers Justice in Shocking Hosavantamuri Assault Case
In a landmark verdict that has brought a measure of closure to one of Karnataka's most horrific crimes, a Belagavi court on Wednesday sentenced 12 individuals, including six women, to five years of rigorous imprisonment. The case pertains to the brutal stripping and assault of a woman in Hosavantamuri village in December 2023, an incident that ignited widespread outrage across the state.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing Details
Presided over by Judge HS Manjunath at the additional 10th district and sessions court in Belagavi, the sentencing followed a day after all accused were found guilty under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court not only imposed the prison terms but also levied fines on each convict. The crime unfolded on December 11, 2023, in Hosavantamuri village, located approximately 10 kilometers from Belagavi city.
Details of the Heinous Crime
The victim, a member of the Scheduled Tribe community, was subjected to an unimaginable ordeal after her son eloped with a girl who was engaged to another man. Enraged by this development, the girl's family forcibly entered the victim's home, damaged property, and pelted stones. They then dragged her outside, where she was stripped, paraded through the village, tied to an electric pole, and assaulted in full public view. Prompt action by police, alerted to the incident, led to her rescue from the scene.
List of Convicts and Legal Actions
The individuals sentenced are all residents of Hosavantamuri village: Basappa Naik (45), Raju Naik (52), Kempanna Naik (52), Parvati Naik (37), Yallavva Naik (67), Lakkappa Naik (26), Gangavva Naik (62), Sangeeta Hegganayak (35), Santosh Naik (21), Shobha Naik (49), Lakkavva Naik (42), and Shivappa Vannur (53). The case drew immediate attention from the Karnataka High Court, which took suo motu cognizance and ordered a fast-track trial. Subsequently, the state government transferred the investigation to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Investigation and Aftermath
During the probe, the CID arrested 13 accused, with 12 being convicted and one identified as a minor. The investigation was completed swiftly, with a chargesheet filed on April 22, 2024, within 133 days, citing 92 witnesses and 37 material exhibits. In response to the incident, the state government announced compensation of ₹5.5 lakh and 2 acres of land for the victim's family. Fact-finding teams from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Commission for Women (NCW), and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) visited the village, while the BJP formed a five-member committee of MPs to investigate.
Controversial Bail and Official Statements
In April 2024, the Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court granted conditional bail to the accused, a decision that sparked controversy after videos surfaced showing a celebratory welcome for prime accused Basappa Naik outside Hindalga Central Jail. Reflecting on the conviction, Director-General and Inspector-General of Police MA Saleem stated, "Such inhuman incidents are not tolerated in a civilised society, and this is indeed a strong message." The investigation was led by SP Pruthvik Shankar, with assistance from DSP Anjumala and Inspector Narayani, under the supervision of senior CID officials, while Special Public Prosecutor LS Sulled represented the state.
