Mandya: The Mandya SP N Yetish suspended a police sub inspector for brutally assaulting a 39 year old woman with a baton, injuring her to the extent that she was taken to a hospital.

The victim has been identified as Rupadevi (39), a resident of Ashokanagar, who along with her mother, raised cows for a living. It was just another day of going about with their daily routine of milking, cleaning and serving customers who would arrive at their residence when the police arrived, forcibly carrying the young woman in a jeep to the police station.

Officers at the station then began forcefully beating her to the extent that her hands and feet were bruised and swollen in the end. This was mainly following complaints from neighbors who stated that the cows would roam on the road, causing an inconvenience in the process.

Concerned citizens, including farmer activist Sunanda Jayaram and members of Karnataka Janashakti, then came forward, rushing to the police station to offer support and assistance to Rupadevi. Recounting the traumatic experience, Rupadevi revealed,

“While cleaning the area near our house, I tied a cow by the roadside. Suddenly, the police arrived and took me away in their jeep. They then proceeded to assault me in a secluded room at the station.”

Purnima, the leader of the Women’s Front Organization, condemned the incident, stating, “Rupa from Ashokanagar was detained by the police for leaving her cow on the road. She was subjected to brutal assault by three staff members in a room without CCTV coverage. No formal complaint was filed against her. It is imperative to investigate why the PSI resorted to such violence without proper cause.”

Following the assault, Rupadevi was admitted to Mandya institute of medical sciences for medical treatment. An FIR has been lodged against the Police Sub-Inspector Ayyana Gowda who is responsible for the attack, prompting outrage from progressive women’s organizations.

A protest was staged outside the East Police Station, demanding justice for Rupadevi and accountability for the officers involved in the assault.

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