A Mom Was Stripped Naked Publicly As Her Son Eloped: Read That Again

The Karnataka High Court took suo moto cognizance in a disturbing incident in Belgavi, Karnataka, where a 42-year-old woman was assaulted by the family of a girl who eloped with the woman's son. The girl's family found the woman at home and dragged her out of the house, assaulted her physically, stripped her naked, paraded her and tied her to an electric pole. The Karnataka HC's division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice MGS Kamal were shocked to hear of the case.

“How does this happen? On one hand, we are celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and after 75 years, this is the situation? The caption and contents of the aforesaid news articles not only shock our conscience but make us put our head down with anguish and pain in our hearts,” the bench remarked. Police arrested seven culprits on Monday in a prompt intervention and an investigation is underway to locate the eloped couple. According to reports, the woman, after being rescued, has been admitted to a Belgavi hospital for treatment and her condition is now stable. 

The Incident Details

The incident happened in Hosa Vantamuri village which is 9 km from Belgavi city in the wee hours between 1 am to 3 am on Monday, December 11, 2023. According to the Kakati Police, the 24-year-old man, identified as Ashok, was in love with an 18-year-old woman, Priyanka. However, the family of the woman had arranged her marriage with another man.

Consequently, the couple eloped before the engagement ceremony which was to be held on Monday. Seven culprits have been detained by the police. "Two KSRP platoons and other senior police officials have been deployed in the village," said Police Commissioner SN Sidramappa who also visited the village. 

Karnataka High Court Reacts

The High Court bench passed an interim order against displaying any video or interaction that could reveal the survivor's identity. As photos and videos of the gut-wrenching incident started circulating on social media and some news outlets, the bench observed that it was insensitive towards the survivor.

"Though the print media has at least displayed some sensibility and sensitivity while publishing the photograph by blurring the image of the victim and her associates, the disturbing factor is the said photograph reveals that some persons apparently from the electronic media or its representatives are photographing and videographing the victim’s reaction and narration,” the court said.

Political response  

Taking now of the inhumane acts committed against the woman, the Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah said that such crimes are inhumane and shameful to the society. He said on 'X', "Our government will not tolerate such incidents and many people have been arrested. It will be our responsibility to provide justice to the victim’s family."

The Home Minister, G Parameshwara, visited the village and expressed grief. He said that act was inhumane and strict actions would be taken against the culprits. 

Important to note that the crime took place when the winter session of the Karnataka government was going on full-fledgedly in Suvarna Vidhan Soudha located in Belgavi where the incident happened.