Harassment of Dalit woman: SC/ST Commission directs case against complainant
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.The Kerala State SC/ST Commission has directed the Thiruvananthapuram police to register a case against complainant Omana Daniel after a Dalit woman, wrongfully accused of theft, was subjected to custodial harassment and sexual abuse.Bindu, a 39-year-old Dalit woman who had worked as a domestic help for four years, was taken into custody by Peroorkkada police on April 23 for questioning in connection with a missing two-and-a-half sovereign gold chain, reportedly belonging to the household where she had been employed. The chain was later recovered from the complainant’s residence, revealing serious misuse of the law and negligence of human rights provisions by the police.According to Bindu, she received a call from the Peroorkada police station around 3:30 pm, informing her about a complaint filed against her. She was held in custody and interrogated until 3 am the next morning. “They used very harsh and bad language. They never asked whether I committed the crime or not. They asked where the gold was,” Bindu told TNM earlier, when the issue came into light.Despite no evidence being found at her residence during a police search, Bindu was booked under Section 305 (theft) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). She alleged that she was denied food during custody, threatened with the arrest of her husband and two daughters if she did not surrender, and humiliated in front of her family. Peroorkada police have denied the allegations of harassment but are yet to issue an apology to her.On May 6, the Thiruvananthapuram Cantonment Assistant Commissioner was directed by the State SC/ST Commission to file an enquiry report within 20 days. The incident adds to the growing list of custodial abuse cases in the state, raising concerns over the systemic violation of human rights, particularly against marginalized communities.
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.
THE Kerala State SC/ST Commission has directed the Thiruvananthapuram police to register a case against complainant Omana Daniel after a Dalit woman, wrongfully accused of theft, was subjected to custodial harassment and sexual abuse.
Bindu, a 39-year-old Dalit woman who had worked as a domestic help for four years, was taken into custody by Peroorkkada police on April 23 for questioning in connection with a missing two-and-a-half sovereign gold chain, reportedly belonging to the household where she had been employed.
The chain was later recovered from the complainant’s residence, revealing serious misuse of the law and negligence of human rights provisions by the police.
According to Bindu, she received a call from the Peroorkada police station around 3:30 pm, informing her about a complaint filed against her. She was held in custody and interrogated until 3 am the next morning.
“They used very harsh and bad language. They never asked whether I committed the crime or not. They asked where the gold was,” Bindu told TNM earlier, when the issue came into light.
Despite no evidence being found at her residence during a police search, Bindu was booked under Section 305 (theft) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). She alleged that she was denied food during custody, threatened with the arrest of her husband and two daughters if she did not surrender, and humiliated in front of her family.
Peroorkada police have denied the allegations of harassment but have yet to issue an apology to her.
On May 6, the Thiruvananthapuram Cantonment Assistant Commissioner was directed by the State SC/ST Commission to file an enquiry report within 20 days. The incident adds to the growing list of custodial abuse cases in the state, raising concerns over the systemic violation of human rights, particularly against marginalized communities.
