‘Disrobed, beaten, chilli powder smeared on face’: Tribal woman rescued after days of ‘torture’ at Telangana farm
Officials say woman was working as a bonded labourer, was tortured when she tried to leave; Deputy CM promises to help her
3 min read
According to the complaint, the victim’s sister and brother-in-law, who had a property dispute with her, allegedly joined in the torture.A tribal woman was allegedly disrobed, assaulted, and subjected to torture for several days at a Telangana farm, with police arresting four people in connection with the case.
According to officials, the woman and her husband were allegedly bonded labourers at the farm, owned by one Bandi Venkatesh, in Nagarkurnool district.
On Monday, the Kollapur sub-divisional magistrate issued an order under the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers to free the couple. Police had rescued the woman last week after her husband informed them of the alleged torture.
According to the complaint lodged at the local police station, the farm owner often mistreated the couple, and for the last two months, had been accusing the woman of not doing her work properly.
She left the farm without informing anyone, and on June 5, she was traced to a nearby village where she was living with relatives.
The farm owner and some of his relatives allegedly picked her up and brought her to a house next to his residence, the complaint said. There, she was allegedly confined and disrobed so that she wouldn’t attempt to flee.
According to the complaint, the victim’s sister and brother-in-law, who had a property dispute with her, allegedly joined in the torture.
Investigation officer P Hrushikesh said, “She said that on June 6 or 7, her sister and brother-in-law, on the orders of Venkatesh, sprinkled chilli powder in her eyes, face and body, and beat her up with sticks. On June 9, they allegedly put a burning cloth on her private parts. The accused also made videos.”
The woman’s husband, who claimed he did not know she was being tortured, rushed to the police on June 19 once he found out.
Police registered a case and rescued her the same day.
“She was in bad condition – emaciated, weak and unable to walk. After receiving treatment at the local government hospital, she has been moved to Hyderabad, where she is being treated for internal injuries,” Deputy SP B Srinivas said.
On June 20, police arrested four people, including Venkatesh and the victim’s sister and brother-in-law.
They were booked under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder), 354 (assault or criminal force), 376 (sexual assault), and 506 (criminal intimidation), as well as the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Venkatesh claimed before the police that the couple had taken large amounts of money from him, and in return, agreed to work on his farm.
Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka Monday met the woman at the hospital and assured her that the government would take care of her medical treatment. He said the government would provide a house for her under the Indiramma housing scheme, land for cultivation, and education for her children in a state-run social welfare school.
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