Karnataka High Court Draws Draupadi Parallel in Horrific Assault Case
In a poignant and symbolic reference to the epic Mahabharata, the Karnataka High Court invoked the character of Draupadi while addressing a distressing case of assault on a woman in Belagavi. The incident involved the brutal assault and public humiliation of a 42-year-old woman after her son eloped with a girl promised to someone else. The court expressed dismay at the collective bystander inaction, likening the present era to the “age of Duryodhanas and Dushasanas,” representing injustice and malice.
The Chief Justice lamented the collective cowardice witnessed during the assault, emphasizing the imperative need for collective responsibility to prevent such atrocities. The court invoked a powerful poem urging action, metaphorically encouraging the oppressed to rise and fight for justice: “Listen Draupadi! Pick up your weapons; now Govind will not come.”
Ashok, 24, and Priyanka, 18, both from the same community, had fled their village due to their love affair, triggering violent retaliation from Priyanka’s family. The assault led to her mother being dragged out, assaulted, and paraded naked, highlighting the extreme repercussions faced due to societal norms.
Drawing parallels to historical incidents, the court referenced a situation during Lord William Bentinck’s tenure as Governor-General of India, where an entire village was held accountable for a crime. Stressing the need for accountability, the court stated, “All village people should be made responsible. Those who serve lip service are not good for us.”
In response to this egregious act, the High Court has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a thorough probe into the incident. Additionally, acknowledging the trauma faced by the victim, the court had earlier emphasized the need to restrict continuous streams of visitors, ensuring her privacy and recovery.
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