Kasthuri Devi (29) D/o Andavar, is a resident  of Pachamalai, Gopichettipalayam, Erode District, belongs to Dalit Valluvan community. She studied upto 10^th standard as a regular student and then continuing her education, she completed B.Com through correspondence and now pursuing MBA through correspondence. Since 1997, after completing 10^th standard, she worked as an accountant under an Auditor namely V.S. Somasundaram. Somasundaram, belongs to dominant caste hindu Kounder community. He sexually exploited Kasthuri Devi since 2007, exploiting the  poverty and critical condition of her family. On the promise of marriage, he had sexual relationship with her for the last 3 years. Once Kasthuri compelled him to marry her, he gave lame reasons and avoided her. Hence Kasthuri reported their affair to his wife.  Soundari w/o Somasundaram, told that she knew their relationship from the beginning and said that she will no allow him to marry her. Soundari verbally abused her, referring derogatory regarding caste.

Kasthuri filed a complaint with the Gopichettipalayam Women police station, alleging the sexual exploitation of Somasundaram. But the Police department failed to take action against the culprit. On 25/01/2010, while Kasthuri was on his way to home, Soundari and Somasundaram verbally abused her, and they slapped her repeatedly with their slipper. As a final resort, she filed a complaint with the DIG, Coimbatore. Finally acting on the complaint, Gopichettipalayam woman Police station, registered the FIR on 23/02/2010 and arrested both the perpetrators on 24/02/2010.

K Satyanarayanamma (50) w/o Kushalaiah (late), SC madiga by caste is the resident of SC colony in Annavaram. Satyanarayanamma sells sarees by profession. She also does social work by helping out the dalit women of her area. On 14.4.2010 an announcement was made that the gram sabha will be organized at 10am by the gram panchayat. Satyanarayanamma went to the meeting along with the other dalit women of her colony to raise the issues of the community. While she was entering into the meeting, Narasaiah h/o of the Lakshmi - Sarpanch stopped her from entering into the meeting. Satyanarayanamma objected saying that she has come to discuss with the sarpanch regarding many pending issues of dalit colony such as roads, electricity etc and that  Narasaiah has no right to stop her. This irritated Narsaiah and abused Satyanarayanamma on the name of caste, humiliated her in front of all, said that there is no need to give any reply to her and pushed her down by lying his hands on her chest. The victim has stated that though Narasiah’s wife is the sarpanch, he only discharges all the duties and Lakshmi just signs. Later she lodged a complaint in Annavaram PS. A case was registered bearing Cr No. 76/ 2010 U/s 509 of IPC and 3(1)(x) of SC/ST (PoA) Act.   

The Rajasthan is most feudal State in India. So many inhuman incidents are still prevailing in the state. Rajasthan is the second highest state in terms of violations of Dalit Human rights. Dalits can’t enjoy their basic human rights freely in state especially in rural areas. Similarly Dalits can’t access their basic rights, especially dalit women. They are not safe even at their home. The people of influential caste assume them as their personal property. There is no means of their security.

On 13 April, Tuesday, at 11pm Dalit victim Geeta Devi (Present Vice-Sarpanch), while sleeping in her house, the perpetrator Hari Ram Gurjar broke into house finding her alone at home with an intention to rape her. He fled away from there, when she cried out for help.  The family lodged complaint on 14.04.2010 in Sadar Thana Badodamave police station and a criminal case FIR No. 67/10 was registered against the accused.

Perpetrator is pressurizing the victim’s family for compromise or else the family would face dire consequence. Because of the threat family migrated to Delhi.  The police arrested the culprit. The local administration also has given adequate police protection and monitory compensation of Rs 50000/- to the victim. 

Brief Details of the Case:

Lalitha Bai (14), D/o. Sukhnaik belongs to ST Sugali caste and is the resident of Venegandla, Pedakakani, Guntur District. She was studying 9^th class in ZPP high school, Pedakakani, Guntur.  Lalitha Bai went to her sister Ramavath Parvathi Bai W/o Balagi Naik aged 30yrs house at Tenali for vacation.  On 07.04.2010 Lalitha Bai along with her sister and neighbor went to agriculture field for harvesting the crop and returned home in the afternoon and slept off. Around 3pm when somebody knocked the door, Parvathi’s son opened the door and informed the same to his mother.  Parvathi found one Mr. Subba Rao OC Vysya by caste belonging to Darsi village of Prakasam district.  Parvathi questioned him who he was and why he has come? She shouted at him saying that she noticed him yesterday i.e., on 6^th April wandering around her house. She dragged him and beat. All of sudden Subba Rao took out the acid bottle concealed in the Tiffin box and threw on Lalitha’s body and tried to escape immediately. As he was trying to run away, he slipped on floor and sustained burn injuries due to acid.

Lakshmi Bai and Subba Rao were moved to the government hospital at Tenali. On the same day victim Lashmi Bai was moved to the Amaravathi hospital at Guntur. As her situation was critical, she was moved to the GGH at Guntur on 9^th April 2010 and she succumbed to the injuries on 11^th April while undergoing treatment.