Kerala: Woman who cut off man’s genitals gets support, police to drop charges

(Image: ANI/File)

New Delhi: On Sunday, in the latest development in sexual harassment case in Kerala, the police, reportedly, decided to drop charges against the 23-year-old woman who gashed the genitals of a self-proclaimed godman when he tried to sexually assault her on Friday. Support poured in from various quarters for the female, a final year law student. Reportedly, police planned to charge the woman under sections of self-defence, but dropped the idea when women’s bodies raised their voice, saying this will put more pressure on the victim. In a shocking case, a Swami was bobbitised by a 23-year-old girl after she was subjected to alleged sexual harassment for the past five years. According to a statement issued on Saturday by Thiruvananthapuram Medical College hospital authorities, it was around 12.39 a.m that Hari Swami (54-year-old) of a Hindu ashram near Kollam was brought to the hospital with his genitals severed almost 90 per cent. A team of medical professionals conducted a plastic surgery and he was reported to be out of danger. According to the girl, the Swami was a frequent visitor to their home here and used to conduct religious ceremonies and right from the time she was a Class 12 student she was under his duress. This incident occurred on Friday night when the girl using a knife slashed the Swami's genitals. The local police have registered a case against the Swami. Prameela Devi, member of the Kerala State Women's Commission, said she felt proud of the girl that she did this, as such acts by anyone especially when it comes under the guise of a religious tag, irrespective of the religion, is not acceptable, as such people should be role models to all. Meanwhile, the police appeared confused on what was needed to be done with regards to the legal proceedings against the girl. However, applauding the woman's step of chopping off man's genitals for allegedly trying to rape her, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said it was a courageous step. "It was a courageous step. No doubt about it," Vijayan told the media, reported ANI on Saturday. (With inputs from agencies)