Bihar Dalit Woman 'Stripped, Urinated On' Over Rs 1,400 Loan, Women's Body Demands Action

A Dalit woman was allegedly beaten up, stripped and urinated by debtor and his associates over repayment of Rs 1,400 loan.

A Dalit woman was allegedly beaten up, stripped, and urinated on her mouth by a moneylender and his henchmen in Bihar's Patna district over some dispute between the two sides for money, said the police on Monday. The woman was assaulted apparently for complaining to the police about the creditor's "unjustified" demand for more money even after full repayment of the debt, they said. An FIR has been registered in connection with the incident that took place on Sunday night under the limits of Khusrupur police station while the accused are absconding, the police official said. 

"An incident has come to light in which a woman belonging to SC has been beaten up, under Khusrupur PS limits... The incident took place yesterday night. As soon as we got the information, we registered an FIR, and raids are underway," said Patna Superintendent of Police Syed Imran Masood. 

"The accused is absconding... We are raiding all the possible locations of the accused. As per the information till now, there has been some dispute between the two sides over money, due to which the accused has beaten up the woman," the SP said. 

"In the FIR, the woman has also alleged that she was stripped and urinated on by the accused. As per the investigation till now, a dispute over money and a woman being beaten up is confirmed. We are investigating the rest of the allegations. Further probe is underway," he added. 

The key accused, Pramod Singh and his son Anshu Singh, are absconding and a manhunt has been launched against them, said Senior Superintendent of Police (Patna) Rajeev Mishra, adding five police teams have been formed and searches are being conducted.

“My husband had borrowed Rs 1,500 from Pramod Singh a few months ago and had returned the money with interest. However, he continued to seek more money. We rejected the demand,” the woman said.   

Women's Panel Demands Action

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal demanded action agaisnt the accused while ruling Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi said that strict action will be taken against those found guilty.

"In Patna, even after returning the loan of Rs 1400, a Dalit woman was asked for more money and when she did not give it, she was stripped naked, beaten and made to drink urine. The woman had earlier also complained to the police, but no action was taken," Maliwal said in a post on X.  

"Bihar government and police should immediately provide security to the woman and take strict action against the criminals," she added. 

 

(With inputs from agencies)