NHRC sends notice to Karnataka Government over woman stripped-paraded naked in Belagavi incident

Following reports that a 42-year-old woman was assaulted, stripped, paraded naked, tied to an electric pole, and beaten in a village in the Belagavi district, as per officials on Friday that the NHRC had sent a notice to the Karnataka government and the state police chief.

The National Human Rights Commission said that the alleged act appears to have a “stereotypical patriarchal approach,” which is a blatant example of the victim’s right to life and dignity being violated.

According to the Karnataka Police, the incident happened on December 11 after the woman’s son eloped with a girl who was about to get engaged with someone else.

The media reported on December 12 that “a 42-year-old woman was stripped, paraded naked, tied to an electric pole and assaulted” in the Belagavi district following her son’s elopement with a girl from the same village. The NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of this report.

The Commission has noted that, if accurate, the news report’s contents raise a serious question about the victim woman’s human rights being violated. It stated that the state has an obligation to protect the weaker members of society, particularly women, children, and the elderly.

As a result, according to officials, the Commission has sent notices to Karnataka’s director general of police and chief secretary, requesting a thorough report in four weeks.

“It should include the status of the registration of FIR, progress in investigation, arrest, if any, compensation under the Victim Compensation Scheme, if paid, and the steps taken or to be taken to prevent such incidents in the state.

“Considering the gravity of the matter, the Commission has also asked its DIG, Investigation to constitute a team to conduct an on-spot fact-finding inquiry at the earliest and submit a report, within two weeks,” it said.

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