The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Legal services authority comes to Savithramma’s aid

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Monday, Aug 03, 2009
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Legal services authority comes to Savithramma’s aid

Staff Reporter

She is battling for life at Victoria Hospital

DSS plans protest against the attack on August 5
Police have registered only attempt to murder case against the accused

Bangalore: The Karnataka State Legal Services Authority has come forward to help Savithramma (35), who is battling for life with grievous injuries at Victoria Hospital here after being attacked by her neighbour in Malavalli taluk recently.

An advocate from the KSLSA met the family members of Ms. Savithramma on Sunday and discussed the issue with them, sources in the authority told The Hindu. “We have offered to represent her and offer legal recourse. But first, we have to wait for the police to file a charge sheet. We cannot take any action until the charge sheet is filed,” sources said.

Meanwhile, the doctors treating Ms. Savithramma said that she continued to be in critical condition. “She has sustained more than 40 per cent burns, which are infected. Also, she has a head injury. We are trying our best to control the infection,” they said. Earlier, Ms. Savithramma’s family members said that the doctors had informed the family that her condition was grave.

Protest planned

A protest against the attack on Ms. Savithramma has been planned in Mandya on August 5 by the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) and Alamari Samudayagala Okkoota, DSS State Convenor Guruprasad Keragodu, said. “We will also write to the State Government to consider this incident (attack on Ms. Savithramma) as a special case and ensure that she gets justice,” he said.

He said that the police had registered only an attempt to murder case against Sidde Gowda, the accused, who had been arrested. Ms. Savithramma, a resident of Nelamakanahalli of Malavalli taluk, was reportedly attacked with a machette by Mr. Gowda who then set her on fire on July 18.

“The police should have registered a case under crimes against women. When we enquired with the police officials concerned as to why only one case has been filed, they were not able to give us a satisfactory response. If the police had included provisions of crimes against women, the case would have been stronger,” he maintained.

Mr. Keragodu said that they would submit a memorandum to Governor Hans Raj Bharadwaj on the incident.

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