Dalit woman assaulted over stray dog feeding incident in Karnataka

NT Correspondent

Udupi: Chandrakanth Bhat, accused of an assault on a 50-year-old Dalit woman named Baby for feeding stray dogs near his residence in Indrali, Hayagriva Nagar, has been placed in judicial custody for 14 days.

The victim, Baby, a resident of Kunjibettu Budnar, sustained severe injuries in the assault and is currently receiving medical care at Ajjarakadu Hospital.

Reportedly acquainted with Bhat, Baby's act of feeding stray dogs near his home angered him. He allegedly verbally abused her and struck her head with a wooden rod.

Bhat faces charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860 and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Arrested by Manipal Police on March 21, he was remanded to judicial custody for two weeks upon appearing in court.

The Karnataka Dalita Sangharsha Samiti's Udupi District Committee (Ambedkar faction) has accused authorities of admitting Bhat to Udupi District Hospital on grounds of ill health, allegedly under pressure from a local legislator.

They claim he is receiving preferential treatment. Committee members have appealed to the Udupi Superintendent of Police, Dr Arun K, to ensure proper legal procedures are followed and requested the inclusion of additional IPC sections in the investigation.