Belagavi Court Sentences 12 For Assault, Stripping of ST Woman

Belagavi: A court in Belagavi has sentenced 12 persons to five years of rigorous imprisonment each for brutally assaulting and stripping a 42-year-old Scheduled Tribe woman in Hosavantamuri village under Kakati police station limits of Belagavi district in December 2023.

The 10th Additional District and Session Judge Belagavi Court convicted 12 accused for the offences punishable under Sections 143, 148, 427, 450, 504, 323, 324, 326, 506, 341, 342, 353, 392, and 354B read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code.

The convicted are Basappa Rudrappa Naik (45), Raju (52), Kempanna (52), Parvathi (37), Yellavva (67), Lakkappa (26), Gangavva (62), Sangeetha (35), Santosh (21), Shobha (49), Lakkavva (42) and Shivappa (53) — all residents of Hosavantamuri village in Belagavi taluk.

The incident took place around 2 am on December 11, 2023, after the victim’s son allegedly eloped with the daughter of Basappa Rudrappa Naik- one of the accused (A1). Angered by this, the group comprising the accused barged into the woman’s house, assaulted her, snatched her mangalsutra, dragged her out and tied her to an electric pole. She was stripped and beaten in public, causing grievous injuries and humiliation.

Based on the victim’s complaint, Kakati police registered a case under various sections of the IPC.

The incident occurred during the assembly session in Belagavi. Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara had visited the village along with a team of senior officials. The incident had sparked nationwide outrage.

Considering the gravity of the offence, the case was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The investigation was conducted by the then Superintendent of Police, CID, Special Enquiries Division, Pruthvik Shankar as the Investigating Officer, assisted by Anjumala, Deputy Superintendent of Police, and Narayani, Police Inspector, under the guidance and supervision of senior CID officers.

The Investigating Officer completed the investigation and submitted the charge sheet on April 22, 2024, within 133 days, before the competent court, citing 92 witnesses and producing 37 seized articles exhibits in support of the prosecution case.

In view of the seriousness of the offence, the Karnataka High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the case and directed the trial court to conclude the trial within a year.

During the course of the trial, the court heard 45 witnesses and accepted related documentary and material evidence.

The trial was closely monitored by the then Superintendent of Police, Special Enquiries Division, CID, Shubhanwita, to ensure effective prosecution and timely examination of witnesses.