‘I Condemn Inhumane Behaviour & Inaction by Police in Acid Attack Victim Case’- NCW Member Shyamala Kunder
‘I Condemn Inhumane Behaviour & Inaction by Police in Acid Attack Victim Case’- National Commission for Women (NCW) Member Shyamala Kunder during her visit to Wenlock Hospital, to meet acid attack victim Swapna.
Mangaluru: Recalling the bizarre acid attack on a woman incident “Swapna, aged 35, a young mother of three children suffered serious burns on her face, neck, hand and chest after her brother-in-law threw acid on her at her house in Kodimbala in Kadaba few days ago over a financial dispute. Her three year old daughter too suffered minor burn injuries in that incident. The accused Jayananda Kothary, aged 55, a LIC agent by profession, attacked Swapna with acid which is used to prepare rubber sheets. The incident came to light the next day after a complaint was filed at Kadaba police station and the accused was arrested. Even though the Kadaba police have taken a man into custody on charges of an acid attack on his sister-in-law over a financial dispute at Kodimbala, Kadaba taluk, there has been various tricks played in this case, and the police have been trying to close the case”.
“Swapna’s husband had passed away in 2018 under mysterious circumstances, and since then Swapna was living with her three daughters. She had financial dispute with the accused (her brother-in-law) and he was harassing her to repay a loan that her husband had taken. Thereafter, since the bank notices for loan repayment were addressed to the accused, he allegedly attacked Swapna as he was upset over this. In the acid attack, both Swapna and her daughter who were injured were shifted to a hospital in Puttur, and then to Mangaluru Wenlock Hospital, where she is still in ICU. The kin of the victim also alleged that the accused had also tried to sexually assault Swapna multiple times from one year, but she resisted. They also allege that though a complaint was filed against the accused at a women’s police station, no action was taken”.
On Tuesday, 11 February 2020, Ms Shyamala S Kundar, the Member of National Commission for Women visited the acid attack victim Swapna at Govt Wenlock hospital and had condemned the police of Kadaba for their ‘Inhumane’ behaviour and ‘Inaction’, when the acid victim had approached them for help with serious burn injuries. After visiting the victim speaking to media persons Ms Kunder said, “On this attack incident, NCW had registered a Suo motu case on the basis of the letter received by it, and that report from the inspector general of police and Dakshina Kannada district superintendent of police have been obtained. The victim spoke to me, I noted down her details and she is feeling better day by day”.
” On basis of information from the victim, there is dereliction of duty on the part of the police, and the incident has exposed the insensitivity of the police. The Police had failed to attend her when she had gone to the station seeking help for her attack and burn injuries. She was asked by the police to give complaint in writing, when she was suffering with pain. Instead the police could have made other arrangements, first send her to hospital, and later take a complaint. This shows the inhumane act and inaction of the police, which is shameful. The incident has totally resulted in mental stress and agony for her. I have convinced her that NCW will help her out in her crisis, and if needed, police security will also be provided” added Ms Kunder.
She further said, “I have directed the department of women and child welfare to extend free education and other facilities to the victim’s three daughters, and in addition to extend necessary legal assistance provided by the District Legal services Authority,and also the lady be provided with counselling facility, if needed. I have also requested the DC to make arrangements for the victim to lead a dignified life. I will also ask the police department to disburse compensation to the lady from Nirbhaya Fund, and provide her police protection”.
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