Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Jul 5: A woman and her son were allegedly evicted from their house in Pandeshwar at Sasthan, Udupi, by her own siblings following a dispute over property.
55-year-old Shantha and her son Prashant (32), a yoga teacher by profession, in their plea to the IGP, alleged that her brothers and her sister severely assaulted her, threatening to kill her if she did not vacate the house within five days. She also alleged that the Kota police inspector used abusive words and threatened her.
Shantha also said that though the physical attacks were repeated, the police department has not taken any action against the culprits. Instead, the Kota police inspector threatened and used abusive language when they approached the police station, she alleged.
In a plea to IGP (western range) Amrit Paul in Mangalore on Friday July 4, Shantha also alleged that she and her son Prashanth used to stay in a house belonging to Tukku Poojarthi, Shantha's mother at Pandeshwar village. She also alleged that on June 1, 2014, her brothers P Raghu, Ravi, Babanna, Chandra P, Boju, and sister Baby came to this residence and vandalized the concrete name plate and changed the name of the house to Prashantha Nilaya.
She also mentioned that following this incident, on June 4 her brother Raghu and sister Baby came to her house and physically assaulted her by undoing her sari. Shantha was then admitted to hospital at Ajjarakad. A case also been filed in Kota police station against Raghu and Baby.
On June 21 at around 12 noon, Raghu, Chandra, Babanna, Ravi, Boju, and Baby allegedly brutally attacked Shantha and undid her sari and insulted her with abusive words. When she reacted to the attack, they went a step further and filmed her humiliation while Babanna blocked her way and used abusive language. When she screamed in a bid to escape from her attackers, Ravi allegedly claimed, "The Kota police officer is in my hand. We threw Rs 25,000 at him and he also asked us to kill you."
Shantha said that after this incident, her son got her admitted to hospital. She further said that when her son informed Kota police inspector about the incident, he was told to not bother filing a complaint as no police officers would respond.
"When I was in hospital in a state where I couldn't even talk, depressed, with fluctuations in blood pressure and sugar, two policemen who came to take my version returned without doing so, and just collected some general information. On June 21 my son has also complained about this to the additional SP in the form of a plea. On June 23 we also gave a complaint to the Udupi district SP," she said.
"After discharge from the hospital, when I returned home on June 27, the lock on the door of my house was broken and replaced with another lock. In the house, I had Rs 90,000 cash earned from animal husbandry, widow pension, agriculture, coolie work, and money saved from house expenses paid by my son. There was also Rs 25,000 in cash and 25 gold ornaments belonging to my daughter-in-law as well as other valuable items. A religious book belonging to my son was burnt as they claimed it was used in black magic," said Shantha.
Shantha further said that her cattle and dog had stayed hungry for the past few days and hence action needed to be taken against P Raghu, Ravi, Babanna, Chandra P, Boju, and Baby in this regard too.
"My sister's husband Bhaskar Poojary and his son threatened to kill my son. Hence, proper protection should be given to us. Action should be taken against the police inspector for treating us in an inhumane way and using abusive, disgraceful words," she added.
Speaking to Daijiworld, Prashantha said, "When we approached the police station, inspector Kamalakar Naik used abusive words and threatened my mother and tried to destroy evidence."
Shantha said, "Presently, we have no house to stay in. We are going to our relative’s house. I have been wearing the same sari for three days."
It is also alleged that the accused in the case have political backing.
Allegations denied
Speaking to daijiworld over the phone, inspector Kamalakar Naik (K R Naik) denied the allegations and said "When I asked both the parties to compromise and end the matter, they did not listen. It is their family dispute. I have not supported any of the parties.
"I did not use any abusive language when Shantha came to the police station to hand over her clothers to produce them in the court as evidence. There was a woman ASI and Shantha's son with her. How can I use abusive language? I have asked both parties to end the matter in compromise, as was a family dispute among brothers and sisters and she had filed complaint against her own siblings. Hence, concerned over the issue, I asked her if she wouldn't feel awkward to speak in court against her own siblings," he explained.
"I even visited the family for investigation. When I inquired in the vicinity, the people said no such incident had happened. When Shantha was admitted in the hospital the second time, our police personnel went to collect her statement but her son Prashanth said that she was not in a condition to speak. But the doctor said that she could speak. Prashanth also told our men that he would complain to higher officials. All these incidents were informed to a senior officer. Why should I abuse her? I don't have any connection with them," he clarified.
"They (Shantha and her son) had complained to the additional SP, who asked them to file a complaint in police station, but they did not come to file the complaint," he added.
"Cased have filed against Raghu and Baby under IPC sections 323, 324, 354, 504 and 506. They were not arrested because they have taken anticipatory bail from court," he said.
Speaking to daijiworld, Shantha's brother Raghu said, "The allegations are totally false. Shantha was in her husband's house. After the death of his mother she came to this house. She wants the entire property in her name. She event filed fake rape case against me. Prashanth too has unwanted habits. He used to take photos of girls with his pen camera and blackmail them. This conflict over property has been going on from three years."
Baby said, "The allegations are false. Shantha was residing at her husband's residence and after the death of his mother she came and settled here. Only my elder brother Raghu is residing in that house. Shantha and her son have even gone to the media and filed fake cases against me and my brothers."