Tuesday, January 23, 2024

INDIA
Women's panel seeks detailed report on DMK leader's son torturing Dalit woman

The National Commission for Women strongly condemned the alleged harassment and physical torture faced by the woman, calling for swift and urgent action.



The matter case came to light when an 18-year-old Dalit woman, employed as a domestic help at the residence of Tamil Nadu DMK MLA I Karunanithi's son, alleged physical torture. 
(Photo: Facebook/Screengrab)


Shilpa Nair
UPDATED: Jan 20, 2024 
Edited By: Vadapalli Nithin Kumar

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has demanded a detailed report within two days regarding the alleged abuse of a Dalit woman in Tamil Nadu. The 18-year-old Dalit woman was employed as a domestic help at the residence of Tamil Nadu DMK MLA I Karunanithi's son and had alleged physical torture and denial of medical care by her employers.

The women's panel strongly condemned the alleged harassment and physical torture faced by the woman, calling for swift and urgent action. It also sought a copy of the FIR within two days.

"We urge the concerned police officer to invoke the mentioned provisions in the FIR, ensuring a fair and time-bound investigation. The accused must be apprehended at the earliest, and the victim should receive free medical treatment," the women's panel said in a statement.

"We stand firm in our commitment to ensuring justice for survivors and ending violence against women," the panel added.

The NCW has prima facie observed that the reported crime falls under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, specifically Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty).

Seeking medical treatment during the Pongal festival for injuries sustained during the incident in her hometown of Kallakuruchi district, the victim's case was reported to the local police by the hospital.

Karunanithi, however, denied the woman's allegations, asserting that his son's family treated her well and only "corrected her when she did something wrong."

In a video shared by the non-profit organization Evidence, the Dalit woman claimed to have completed 12th grade and secured employment as a domestic help through an agent.

Employed for seven months at the residence of Karunanithi’s son Anto Mathivanan and his wife Marlina in Chennai, she alleged facing physical assaults and non-payment of wages.

Published By:
Vadapalli Nithin Kumar
Published On:
Jan 20, 2024

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