In a shocking incident from Byagavadi village in Haveri district, a 14-year-old Dalit girl was rescued from unlawful captivity by an upper caste woman on Wednesday. The accused, Lakkavva Nagappa Betgeri, had allegedly lured the girl from her home in Navanagar, Hubballi, under the pretext of offering her a better education.
According to Adur police, the woman befriended the girl’s mother during visits to Siddharoodh Mutt in Hubballi. Two months ago, when the girl’s mother and sister were away, Lakkavva took the girl to her home in Byagavadi after informing the mother. However, instead of enrolling her in school, the accused forced the girl into domestic labor and reportedly beat her whenever she asked to see her family.
Alerted by concerned villagers who noticed the girl’s plight, police responded via emergency number 112 and rescued her on Tuesday. The girl has since been placed in the Government Children’s Home for Girls in Ranebennur.
A case has been registered against Lakkavva under relevant sections, and her arrest is imminent, police confirmed. Labour department officer Raghavendra Basavaraj Shirur has also filed a formal complaint.
The incident has sparked concern over child safety and caste-based exploitation.