Justice denied even after going to the police station in torn clothes?
Land dispute – Widow stripped and tortured.
When asked to file a complaint, police demanded evidence.
Shame on such police!
Belagavi
The government and authorities have successfully put an end to an inhumane practice that had been ongoing for many years at the Savdatti Yellamma temple. However, in connection with a small land dispute, a widow was stripped and tortured in Harlapur, near Ugaragol in Savdatti taluk. This incident has brought shame upon the entire civil society.
A similar incident took place in Vantamuri village of Belagavi taluk, where a woman was stripped and tortured. At that time, the government took the matter seriously, and opposition parties staged large-scale protests. However, in this case, even after the widow went to the police station in torn clothes, the Savdatti police have still not registered a case, which is a matter of disgrace.
Another shocking fact is that the police themselves allegedly threatened the victim, saying, “You have a son; what if something happens to your life?” This highlights the failure of the Belagavi district police system.
Where is justice?
The victim’s account of the incident is horrifying. Instead of taking the case seriously and ensuring justice, the Savdatti police dismissed the complaint, saying, “Bring evidence,” which has sparked a major controversy.
What happened?
The victim recounted the incident in Harlapur, Ugaragol, Savdatti taluk. She has also collected video clips, audio recordings, and footage showing police presence during the conflict and has now turned to the media for justice.
The incident is related to a ten-acre land dispute in Harlapur, Ugaragol, Savdatti taluk. The matter had already gone to court, and an injunction had been issued. While we were harvesting horse gram from the land, a group of over 15 people, claiming to represent a farmers’ association, confronted us. Even when I informed them about the court injunction, they did not listen. Instead, they claimed I had signed a bond and proceeded to seize the harvested produce.
An argument broke out. During this, some of them snatched my phone, threw it to the ground, and beat me like an animal. They attacked me so severely that my abdomen was injured, causing internal bleeding. But they did not stop there—they tore my clothes and stripped me naked.
At that moment, a police vehicle (112) arrived. Even in front of them, the group insulted me. Finally, I wrapped myself in my torn clothes and went to the police station in the same police vehicle. As soon as I reached the station, two female police officers gave me a bedsheet to cover myself. Despite this, when I tried to file a complaint, the police refused to register the case.
Eventually, I had to take another vehicle to Savdatti district hospital for treatment. Seeing the severity of my injuries, they sent me in an ambulance to Dharwad district hospital.
They promised justice…!
At that time, some unknown people came to the Dharwad district hospital, saying that this was a matter of their village’s honor and that they would ensure justice. I trusted them. But even from them, I did not receive justice, the victim said.
Bring evidence!
When I requested an FIR to be filed regarding the case, the police told me, “Bring evidence first, then we will see.” This has left the victim, Ratna, in tears.
Even after receiving treatment at the Dharwad hospital, she went to the Savdatti police station multiple times, waiting there for four to five hours, only to be told again, “Bring evidence.” The local CPI instructed the officers to register the case, but two policemen insisted, “We need evidence. Only if you have it, we will proceed.”
The group of over 15 people assaulted me right in front of the police. What more evidence do they need? I have been living alone with my son for 12 years after my husband passed away. Now, I fear for my life. I want justice, she said, with tears in her eyes.
