The mountain-top village of Hosa Vantamuri in Karnataka was witness to a horrific mob attack on a woman. The attack was an act of revenge by the relatives of a girl who had eloped with the victim’s son just before her engagement to another boy. The woman was assaulted, partially stripped, and tied to a pole. Thirteen people, including women and a minor, have been arrested in connection with the incident. The village, with a population of around 7,000 people, is now under police protection as the investigation continues.

The victim, a 40-year-old woman, had fixed her engagement with another young man. However, she eloped with her 23-year-old boyfriend the night before the ceremony. When her absence was noticed, her relatives gathered in large numbers and arrived at the man’s house. They broke down the door, ransacked the house, and assaulted the woman. Her mother-in-law, who was crippled in a road accident, watched helplessly as her daughter-in-law was dragged out, partially disrobed, and beaten. The mob intended to shave her head and parade her naked in the village, but intervention from the police prevented this. The victim was later taken to the hospital for treatment, where she continues to receive care for both physical and mental trauma.

The incident has revealed deep-rooted issues in the village. The victim and her boyfriend, both from the Bedar Nayaka community, faced opposition due to their economic status. The woman’s father is a respected community leader, while the man is a goods van driver. The attack reflects the importance placed on a girl’s honour in the village, but it has also raised concerns about the prevalence of child marriages. The victim herself was a child bride who was deserted after giving birth to a son. She later remarried her present husband, who already had another child bride as his wife. Child marriages continue to occur in the village despite efforts to address the issue.

While most villagers remained mute spectators during the attack, there were a few good Samaritans who intervened. Local trader Jahangir rushed to the victim’s house after receiving a distress call from the women there. He managed to help the first wife and her sons escape, but he himself was tied to an electric pole and beaten by the attackers. Another villager named Waseem called the police helpline and found a car to transport the victim to the hospital. These individuals displayed bravery in the face of a violent mob.

The incident has sparked outrage and has drawn attention to the treatment of women and the need for justice in rural communities. The Karnataka High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the case and expressed its concern over the incident. The court highlighted the contradiction between the celebration of India’s Independence and the occurrence of such violent acts. The investigation into the attack is ongoing, and security measures have been put in place to protect the victim’s family and eloped couple. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges that still exist in ensuring the safety and dignity of women in society.