Pramesh S Jain
A 34-year-old domestic worker and her husband were allegedly detained and brutally beaten by the Varthur police after being accused of stealing a diamond ring from the house of a techie couple she worked for.
The woman was released only after a social activist intervened and demanded an explanation from the police.
The incident took place on October 30,when Sundari Bibi,a native of West Bengal and resident of a labour colony on Balagere Road,was summoned to the Varthur police station.
Sundari,who had been working for the techie couple for the past three months, went to the station along with her husband, a garbage vehicle driver.
According to sources,the employers had accused Sundari of stealing a diamond ring after conducting a “sting”— they allegedly dropped a Rs.100 note on the floor to observe her reaction.
CCTV footage reportedly showed Sundari picking up the note,which she claimed she intended to return later.
Based on the footage,the couple filed a complaint with the Varthur police.
Sundari said that as soon as she and her husband reached the station,they were detained and assaulted by seven police personnel,including four men and three women.
“I pleaded my innocence,but they kept beating me with lathis,calling me a Bangladeshi.Most of the abuses were in Kannada,which I could not understand,”she told media persons.Her husband was also allegedly assaulted for “supporting her.”
The screams from inside the police station reportedly drew the attention of nearby migrant workers,who alerted city-based social activist R.Kaleemulla.
He called the station and confronted the officers about the incident.Following his intervention,the police released Sundari,though she was barely able to walk due to the injuries.
Even the techie couple,who were present at the station, are said to have objected to the police’s high-handedness.
Sundari was later taken to Bowring Hospital,where doctors documented multiple bruises and injuries and registered a Medico-Legal Case (MLC).
Condemning the incident,Kaleemulla termed it “a sheer violation of human rights”and urged senior police officials to take strict action against those responsible.
“Police have no right to beat anyone,especially women, merely based on allegations.There are lawful methods to investigate and find the truth,”he said.
Sundari is presently recovering at Bowring hospital waiting for some more tests to ascertain if there are any internal injuries .
It may be recalled that Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG & IGP) M.A.Saleem recently issued a circular directing all police personnel to maintain dignity and sensitivity while dealing with the public, particularly women.
Sundari,who has been working as a domestic help in the city for the past eight years,lives with her four daughters in Balagere.
The Karnataka State Commission for Women has taken serious note of the incident and has written to the Whitefield DCP, directing a swift and detailed investigation into the matter.
