Betrayed dalit seeks justice
'Upper-caste' boyfriend's assault leaves her in the lurch
Added At: 2011-11-05 11:36 PM
Last Updated At: 2011-11-05 11:36 PM
HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
KATHMANDU: Physical torture and caste-based discrimination against
dalits continue unabated, despite the state's pledge to punish the
offenders in line with laws, including the recently-enacted
Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment)
Bill.
Kala Bishwakarma (21) of Damak-1, Jhapa, is one such victim. With
upper-caste Tirtha Bahadur Kumal (24) of Damak-1 ditching the
'untouchable' woman after marriage, Kala moved the Metropolitan Police
Range, Kathmandu, last week seeking justice.
In her complaint, the victim has said that they felt for each other
five years ago. But when Tirtha proposed to marry her, the woman
hesitated, fearing that the nuptial of 'unequals' may turn tragic.
"I agreed to get married with Tirtha when he repeatedly assured me
that there will be no tragedy," the woman has stated in her complaint.
After the 'marriage', Kala came to Kathmandu in April for the
treatment of her ailing father and Kumal made her overstay here.
Tirtha co-habited with Kala in the Capital for two weeks, only to
leave her in the lurch.
Kala said she lived with Tirtha at a hotel in Bag Bazaar for a week.
That was before Tirtha's sister Nirmala of Maharajgunj, Kathmandu,
turned up and assaulted her for 'trying to make Tirtha her husband out
of greed for his parental property.'
According to Kala, Nirmala threatened to kill her if she does not leave Tirtha.
After the threat, Kala and Tirtha shifted to a hotel in Dallu and then
to her relative's rented apartment in Dhapasi. "On the fourth day of
our stay in Dhapasi, Tritha disappeared all of a sudden and did not
return," the victim said.
When Kala moved the Jhapa District Court seeking marriage certificate,
Tirtha repeatedly telephoned her and requested her to withdraw the
case with a pledge to marry her. After a long search, Kala met Tirtha
on October 29 and begged him to marry her, only to get assaulted and
verbally abused.
Tirtha, an employee at a cargo office, is cooling his heels in police
custody now. Kala has demanded compensation and justice. Nirmala is at
large.
If convicted, Tirtha will have to serve a three-year jail term or pay
a fine of up to Rs 25,000 or both.
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