Woman forced to strip parade in Beed over brother's affair

Mumbai: The Beed police arrested nine villagers for severely assaulting and strip parading a 27-year-old woman, the wife of a farmer, over allegations that she was encouraging a relationship between her brother and a teenaged girl from their Warangalwadi village.

Officials said they have arrested Baban Satale, Maruti Satale, Lanka Satale, Indubai Satale, Zumbar Datal, Rekha Ingole, Kunta Ingole, Angad Ingole and Sanjay Ingole for targeting the woman in the absence of her husband. The incident took place on August 4, two days after she was assaulted and the couple was asked to seek forgiveness in front of the village.

“All the accused are the residents of the same village and the persons in question are the victim’s brother and Baban’s daughter. The accused were arrested after her husband returned and the couple approached the police,” said B.A. Gade, personnel from the Chaklamba police station.

Officials said the animosity between the accused and the couple had been brewing ever since they learnt about the alleged relationship. The villagers also objected to the relationship and first assaulted the woman on August 2. However, after learning that her husband was away, they again landed at her residence two days later and cornered her.

The accused thrashed her and went on to tear her clothes. She was then paraded naked with the villagers beating her with chappals. Even though the woman sought help from onlookers, they did not budge, the police said. Officials are now recording statements of the villagers.

A case has been registered against the accused under sections 452 (house trespass for assault), 354 (B) (assault or force to women with intent to disrobe), 355 (assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and further investigation is underway.