Bangalore: Woman kept under prolonged house arrest by parents, rescued

Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jun 4: Hemavathi, aged around 30 years, was allegedly kept under house arrest for several years by her own parents at the family home in Malleshwaram in the city. She was rescued, acting on information, and admitted into a hospital by the city police on Tuesday June 4. 

State health minister U T Khadar visited the house and issued directions to the officials.

When the police led by deputy commissioner of police, Siddaramappa, brought the lady out of the house, she was too weak to move her limbs. She however, complained of acute pain and hunger. The police are confident of eliciting more information from her once her condition improves.

The neighbours as well as the family members admit that Hemavathi was of good health and had been good at studies till some years back. It is said that the family decided to punish her because of her love affair with a youth which the family did not approve of. Her father, sister-in-law and brother claimed that Hemavathi lost strength in her limbs a few years back, and that they had been providing her medical attention and treatments. They dismissed the house arrest theory, and insisted that the lady was kept at home because of her ailment.

But several neighbours of the lady said that efforts made by a few people in the past to bring her out of the house arrest had proved futile as the family was non-cooperative. Several persons interviewed by a television channel said that the girl was bubbly, healthy, and intelligent, and that since some years she was not seen outside. The family stiffly resisted efforts by others to meet her. They allegedly drove out visitors from near the gate, and did not allow anyone to meet Hemavathi. Some neighbours, who describe Hemavathi’s father to be a sadist, have alleged that the family is now trying to cover up their crime. However, the fact that the family kept others at a distance since long and allowed no one to approach the house, has given rise to doubts.

It is learnt that the only times one got to see the lady was when the family brought her out once in six months for visiting hospital. Some neighbours added that Hemavathi was under pressure, either because of the fact that she was abused by her family members, or because her love life was denied. Some thought the girl was depressed because of not conducting her marriage or not allowing her to work outside. It is said that she used to shout aloud at midnight, but those living around the area have no clue what was going on at the house.