Karnataka: In a verdict that may set the right precedent and deter any crime against Dalits, the District Court of Koppal in the southern state of Karnataka awarded life imprisonment to 98 accused. The court also slapped them a fine of Rs 5,000. Besides, the district court also sentenced the three accused to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,000. These people were accused of setting fire to Dalit huts in Marukumbi village of Gangavati taluk of Koppal district.
The incident took place in 2014 when a clash broke out between the victims and the accused for denying entry to Dalits in hotels and barber shops in the village.
Case Booked Under 117 People
A case was filed against 117 people, of whom 101 were awarded punishment, while 16 accused are dead. Reacting to the judgment, the relatives and family members of the 98 convicts started crying aloud in distress, while the victims’ family members heaved a sigh of relief.
Expressing happiness to the verdict, Manjunath K, Ramesh Kolur, and other Dalit leaders from Koppal said the court had announced life imprisonment for 98 accused in the Marukumbi case.
Huts Of Dalits Set On Fire
The case is related to caste-based violence as individuals from other communities set on fire many huts belonging to Dalits in Marukumbi village, Gangavati taluk, Koppal district. The case gained attention as Dalit leaders organised a padayatra from Koppal to Bengaluru.
If media reports are to be believed, the conflict started after Dalits were denied entry into the village’s barbershops and hotels. The situation became so tense that policemen were deployed in the village for three months.
