NEW DELHI: A 45-year-old Dalit woman in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, lost her life after reportedly being assaulted by four men. The motive behind the attack is believed to be her refusal to compel her son to withdraw a case filed against the assailants under the stringent Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act three years ago.
Deputy Police Superintendent RR Singhal reported that Gitaben Maru was attacked with steel pipes by Shailesh Koli, Rohal Koli, and two unidentified accomplices. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries on Monday.
The four individuals have been charged with murder, assault, and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code, as well as under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
โWe recorded Maruโs complaint on Sunday night and filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Shailesh Koli, his associate Rohal Koli, and their two unidentified associates,โ stated Singhal.
In a social media post on X, Congress lawmaker Jignesh Mevani highlighted another instance of Dalit murder and atrocity emerging in Gujarat.
Also Read: WATCH | Four Dalit Men assaulted over theft suspicion in Maharashtra
Mevani explained in Hindi, โDuring the Covid lockdown, Gautam Maru, a young man from Bhavnagar district, was assaulted by anti-social elements. Subsequently, a police complaint was lodgedโฆ As the case progressed to court, the accused, fuelled by fear, began intimidating the complainant for a compromise.
โHowever, Gautamโs family refused and sought justice through the court. โฆthe accused attacked Gautamโs mother, Gitaben. She was admitted to Bhavnagar Civil Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
โThis attack occurred on Constitution Day, shedding light on the heightened audacity of hooligans in the state. It underscores how the courage of such elements has risen, and the Gujarat government, as always, remains a foolish observer to the issues concerning Dalits, the deprived, and the exploited.โ
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เคเฅเคตเคฟเคก เคเฅ เคฒเฅเคเคกเคพเคเคจ เคตเคเฅเคค เคญเคพเคตเคจเคเคฐ เคเคผเคฟเคฒเฅ เคเฅ เคฏเฅเคตเค เคเฅเคคเคฎ เคฎเคพเคฐเฅ เคชเคฐ เค เคธเคพเคฎเคพเคเคฟเค เคคเคคเฅเคตเฅเค เคฆเฅเคตเคพเคฐเคพ เคเคพเคจเคฒเฅเคตเคพ เคนเคฎเคฒเคพ เคนเฅเคคเคพ เคนเฅเคเฅค เคซเคฟเคฐ เคนเคฎเคฒเฅ เคเฅ เคเคเฅเคฐเฅเคธเคฟเคเฅ เคเคพเคจเฅเคจ เคเฅ เคคเคนเคค เคชเฅเคฒเคฟเคธ เคถเคฟเคเคพเคฏเคค เคนเฅเคคเฅ เคนเฅเคเฅค เค เคฌ เคเคฌ เคฎเคพเคฎเคฒเคพ เคเฅเคฐเฅเค เคฎเฅเค เคฌเฅเคฐเฅเคก เคชเคฐโฆ pic.twitter.com/RNWRygWHTf
โ Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) November 27, 2023
In response, Maruโs family and local Dalit leaders organised a protest outside Bhavnagarโs Sir Takhtasinhji General Hospital. They insisted on not claiming her body until all four accused were apprehended.
As per the FIR, Maru sustained multiple fractures and injuries. The accused also subjected threats to Maruโs husband and daughter, compelling them to flee.
