Police have arrested a woman in connection with an alleged bonded labour and atrocity case involving a Scheduled Tribe man who was reportedly forced to work without wages for nearly three decades in Kundapur taluk.
The accused, Rajani Shetty, wife of Karunakara Shetty, is a resident of Kabbailu in Kanyana village under Kundapur taluk. She was produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody, and is currently lodged in the Mangaluru District Prison.
The investigation is being conducted under the supervision of HD Kulkarni.
Victim alleges decades of unpaid labour
According to the complaint filed at Kundapur Rural Police Station, the victim Naga, 65, belongs to the Koraga Scheduled Tribe community and is a resident of Kabbailu, Uliyar Mane in Kanyana village.
Police said that around 30 years ago, Naga was brought to work by Subbanna Shetty, a resident of Hemmady in Kundapur taluk.
After Subbanna Shetty’s death, authorities allege that his daughter Rajani Shetty and her husband Karunakara Shetty continued employing Naga at their residence.
The complaint states that Naga was forced to work without wages for several years, leading to the registration of a criminal case.
Case registered under SC/ST Act
Police have registered a case under Section 3(1)(H) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Following the incident, officials from multiple departments visited the location to assess the situation and support the victim.
The team included representatives from the police department, social welfare department, labour department, the Deputy Tahsildar of Kundapur, the village administrative officer, and officials from the Hattiyangadi Gram Panchayat.
Authorities also met Naga and initiated steps to ensure rehabilitation and welfare assistance.
Officials said further investigation into the case is ongoing, and additional legal action may follow depending on the findings.