In a shocking incident in Gujarat, a businesswoman and six others allegedly forced a 21-year-old Dalit youth to apologise by holding her footwear in his mouth after he demanded salary for the work he did after he was hired.
The victim, Nilesh Dalsaniya, lodged a complaint, based on which the Morbi city police on November 23 registered an FIR against the woman, identified as Vibhuti Patel aka Raniba, and others, including her brother Om Patel, and manager Parikshit, said Pratipalsinh Zala, Deputy Superintendent of Police (SC/ST Cell).
As per the FIR, the victim was hired by Ms. Vibhuti Patel, owner of Raniba Industries Pvt. Ltd, in early October on a monthly salary of ₹12,000. However, his contract was terminated on October 18.
When Mr. Dalsaniya sought his salary for the 16 days he had worked at the factory, Ms. Vibhuti Patel did not provide a clear response and stopped communication.
The incident of alleged assault occurred on Wednesday when the victim, along with his brother and a neighbour, visited Ms. Vibhuti Patel’s office. There, the businesswoman’s brother Mr. Om Patel and his accomplices allegedly assaulted them.
In the FIR, it had been stated that Ms. Vibhuti Patel also slapped and dragged him to the terrace of the commercial complex. The accused, including Parikshit Patel, Om Patel and six to seven unidentified men, beat him up with belts and kicked and punched him, the police said.
The victim alleged that the accused woman forced him to take her footwear in his mouth and made him apologise for demanding salary. She also threatened to get him killed if he was seen in the locality again.
“After returning home, the Dalit man was taken to the Morbi civil hospital where he is undergoing treatment,” the police said.
The accused also shot a video of the incident and made the victim say that he tried to extort money from them.
Mevani’s demand
After the video went viral on social media, Congress legislator and Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani said it was shocking the way “Dalits are treated in Gujarat.”
The police have booked the accused on the charges of assault, criminal intimidation, rioting and under relevant Sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. However, there was no arrests till Friday evening.
The Congress legislator demanded immediate arrest of the accused and strong action against them.
