The Karnataka High Court received an update from the State government during a hearing on a suo motu case initiated last month. The case stemmed from the public assault on a 42-year-old woman in Belgaum, who was stripped and beaten by villagers after her son eloped with a girl from the same village.
According to the bench comprising Chief Justice PB Varale and Justice Krishna Dixit, the State government informed them that the investigation into the Belgaum woman assault case is progressing well. A memo submitted by the Additional Advocate General highlighted that a significant portion of the investigation, including statements recording and arrests of the accused, has been completed.
The government also expressed its positive consideration of the victim’s request for alternative land closer to her village under the Karnataka Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Scheme.
The incident occurred on December 11, 2023, when the victim’s son eloped with a girl from the same village, already engaged to another man. The woman was subsequently tied to a pole, beaten, stripped, and paraded in the village. Police intervened upon receiving a tip-off from a villager.
The High Court, which took suo motu cognizance on December 12, 2023, noted during the recent hearing that cash compensation has been disbursed to the victim. The Court also acknowledged security measures in place, including armed officers and constant vigilance by local police, addressing concerns for the victim’s safety.
Regarding the ongoing investigation, the Court was informed that authorities await a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, with the final report expected to be submitted by the end of the month.
On the matter of land allotment, the State identified certain land under the Karnataka Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Scheme. However, the victim requested an alternative piece of land closer to her village, a request that the State is actively considering. The government is in the process of searching for a suitable alternative, and the Court has requested a report on this aspect in the next hearing scheduled three weeks from now.
