Karnataka: Woman Lawyer Brutally Assaulted in Bagalkote, One Arrested

Lawyer Sangeetha Shikkeri was repeatedly slapped and kicked by her neighbour Mahantesh over a civil dispute case.

A woman lawyer was brutally assaulted near Vinayak Nagar in the Bagalkote district of Karnataka.

(Photo: Screengrab, Accessed by The Quint)

Video Producer: Shohini Bose
Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam

A woman lawyer was brutally assaulted near Vinayak Nagar in the Bagalkote district of Karnataka on the afternoon of Saturday, 14 May. The accused, Mahantesh Cholachagudda, has been arrested, said the police.

Lawyer Sangeetha Shikkeri was repeatedly slapped and kicked by her neighbour Mahantesh for allegedly harassing and torturing him over a property dispute.

The incident was caught on camera and has gone viral on social media. Sangeetha was forced back due to the intensity of the slaps. She was also kicked in the stomach. As she picked up a chair to defend herself, the man kicked and slapped her again. While there were people around, no one came forward to help the lawyer. The two had reportedly also fought several times in the past over the same issue.

No One Helped Me: Lawyer Sangeetha Shikkeri

Speaking to The Quint, Sangeetha Shikkeri alleged that on 14 May, Mahantesh started abusing her and used vulgar language. In response, she took out her slippers and tried to throw at him in vain. While, Raju Nayak (local Bharatiya Janata Party leader) and his other followers, her uncle and cousin ran away, Mahantesh assaulted both Sangeetha and her husband.

"Believe it or not, there were close to 300 people there, but not one individual helped me. My dupatta was missing and he was trying to hold me by my dress and yet. He repeatedly kicked me in my stomach, and everybody around were just mute spectators."

Sangeetha Shikkeri, Lawyer

Shikkeri was rushed to a private hospital by the police where she is currently being treated. Initial medical reports suggest injuries to abdomen, knees, and also face. Her husband who was also beaten up by Mahantesh for trying to save her, is suffering from a dislocated shoulder.

NCW Chairperson Writes to Karnataka DGP Seeking Action

Taking cognisance of the brutal assault, the National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma has written to Director General of Police (DGP) Karnataka, asking the authorities to take stringent action against the accused. The NCW has also sought the best medical treatment for the victim and asked to be apprised of the action within the next seven days.

Reacting to the brutal assault that was caught on camera, several activists and business persons on social media called for strict action against the perpetrator.

Taking to Twitter, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chairperson of Biocon, wrote, "The man must be arrested for such abhorrent behaviour. He is an animal not a civilised human."

BJP Leader in Bagalkote Bulldozes Lawyer's House in a Civil Dispute

Shikkeri was also subjected to a part of her house being demolished and death threats. Two days earlier, Raja Nayak, the local area leader from the BJP and two of his followers, carried out a demolition of her compound and also stopped the access to electricity and water.

Shikkeri also said that she met with MLA Veerabhadrayya Charantimath seeking help, but didn't get any response. It was after this situation that she filed a complaint against Raja Nayak, her uncle, her cousin, and Mahantesh, the person who assaulted her.