Kerala - Kozhikode   

Woman alleges she was kept in chains

Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE: A 28-year-old woman created a flutter at the sitting of the Kerala State Women's Commission at the Collectorate Conference Hall here on Monday when she arrived with a metal chain and lock with which she alleged she had been kept chained in the house for more than two months.

Carrying the long metal chain in a bag, Sabira of Mavoor arrived at the venue when the sitting was about to end. Sabira had reportedly filed a complaint to the panel with the assistance of a neighbour. None of her family members who were issued notice by the Commission, however, reported at the sitting. Panel members T. Devi and P.K. Sainaba said that the panel would present Sabira at the police station and seek assistance of a policewoman to conduct necessary medical tests.

After conducting tests to verify the mental state of the woman, she would be placed in the custody of the District Social Welfare Officer.

Under care

Sabira would be placed at the After Care Home at Vellimadukunnu till a decision was made after examining her parents, siblings and other family members and on verifying her mental condition.

According to Sabira, who was undergoing treatment for epilepsy, her father and mother found her to be a burden and had kept her in chains. She was one among seven children and her parents had threatened not to give any share of the family property. "They see me as a burden and I have been going through such cruel treatment since I was 12," she alleged.

She had managed to escape to her father's ancestral house, and file a petition before the panel.

Mahila Mandirams

Ms. Devi said that in Kerala in case the guardians of a woman were not willing to provide her shelter, the District Social Welfare Department would step in to provide her a place at the Mahila Mandirams that were functioning in all districts. "There was no question of a destitute woman having to go without a roof over her head if she brought her plight to the authorities concerned," she added.

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