Karnataka - Bangalore   

A mother’s agony continues

Pratibha Murthy

BANGALORE: Gouramma has been coming to the court along with her brother S. Ramu for every hearing of the case relating to the murder of her daughter. She keeps track of all the proceedings in the case, which has been going on for over a year. “I am representing my daughter in the court. I want the perpetrators of the murder to be punished,” she says.

On December 13, 2005, Pratibha Murthy, who was working in a leading call centre in Electronics City here, was kidnapped, raped and murdered on the outskirts of the city. The murder was allegedly committed by Shivakumar, the driver of one of the cabs hired by the firm to transport its staff. The accused took Pratibha to an isolated area in Anjanapura New Layout, around 6 km from her house, and murdered her, according to the police.

Ms. Gourramma does not want to talk about the case while it is being heard by the court. But she is certainly concerned about what she considers the casual attitude of the business process outsourcing (BPO) companies towards the security of their employees, more so of the women. “Merely by paying high salaries the responsibility of the employers does not end. They are responsible from the time the employee is picked up to the time he/she is dropped back to the house.”

Ms. Gouramma wants BPO companies to take more precautions while employing women on night shifts. Apart from using technology to track vehicles, “companies should make enquiries when they do not report for duty. Absenteeism cannot be treated casually,” she says.

Meanwhile, the 7th Fast Track Sessions Court is continuing the hearing of the case. So far, the court has examined more than 30 witnesses, including Ms. Gouramma; Pratibha’s husband, Pavan Shetty.

The court has to take a decision on the application of the prosecution to provide the accused with a copy of the video of the discovery of Pratibha’s body, before continuing with further examination of witnesses.

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