The victim alleged that she was detained by the LB Nagar police 16 August and beaten throughout the night with sticks and straps.
Published Aug 18, 2023 | 7:57 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 18, 2023 | 7:57 AM
The woman, identified as Laxmi Vadyta is a resident of Nandi Hills in Rangareddy district. (Creative Commons)
An incident of police high-handedness came to the fore after a woman belonging to the Lambada community alleged that she was thrashed by LB Nagar policemen in Hyderabad on the night of Wednesday, 16 August, after they abruptly detained her.
The LB Nagar police have registered a case against two of their own personnel — a male head constable named Shiva Shanker and a woman constable named Sumalatha. Both have already been placed under suspension by the Rachakonda police.
The Lambadas are a part of the nomadic Banjara community, and are categorised as Scheduled Tribes (STs).
The victim, identified as Laxmi Vadyta, is a resident of Nandi Hills in the Rangareddy district and claimed that she had gone to visit her relatives in LB Nagar.
Reports claimed that the woman was picked up by the LB Nagar police’s night patrol team, after which she was shifted to the police station and physically assaulted throughout the night.
The FIR that was registered based on a complaint by Laxmi’s daughter Pooja stated that her mother left home to visit her uncle Chandru to borrow ₹3 lakh for her marriage.
She added that her brother and sister waited for their mother till late at night, but she did not return. It was then that their maternal aunt informed them about their mother’s detention at the LB Nagar Police Station.
After Laxmi’s children visited the LB Nagar Police Station and inquired about the issue, the concerned police personnel hurled casteist abuses at Laxmi and assaulted her, according to the FIR.
Pooja also stated in her complaint that her mother Laxmi had ₹3 lakh and gold earrings with her, which are now missing.
Speaking to South First, LB Nagar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) B Sai Sree said: “An inquiry has been initiated and we cannot come to any conclusion till it is finished as these are only allegations.”
“Nothing has been confirmed so far. If they both are proven guilty, we will take action against them as per the law,” the DCP said.
She added: “Laxmi was not detained alone; a total of three women and two men were detained. They were booked under IPC Section 290 (punishment for public nuisance).”
The LB Nagar police have registered an FIR under Sections 354 (assaults or uses criminal force to any woman), 324 (causing hurt), 379 (punishment for theft) of the IPC and relevant sections of the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the case of the assault on the victim.
As per Pooja, Laxmi said she was making arrangements for money for her marriage, for which she had gone to her relatives to seek financial help.
“It was while waiting for an auto-rickshaw around 11.30 pm on LB Nagar Road that the police approached her and questioned her,” Pooja told South First.
She added that the cops then coerced her into going to the police station with them even after she showed them proof of her daughter’s wedding and gave other details.
She alleged, “The police personnel snatched my mother’s mobile phone and abused her at the LB Nagar police station. They made her lie down, beat her with a ‘black strap’ and sticks, and later kicked her repeatedly while she suffered in pain. As per the FIR, she sustained received bruises on her thighs, knee, and other body parts.”
Laxmi is now undergoing treatment at Osmania General Hospital. “She is okay, but injured,” Pooja said
On Thursday, the members of the Lambada community staged a protest demanding the DGP’s intervention in the matter.
“The police have admitted what they did was wrong. We demand everyone on duty that day be removed from service,” Laxmi’s brother-in-law Srinivas told South First.
