Pune: The Maharashtra Sadbhavana Manch has condemned two shocking incidents of police brutality, caste-based discrimination, and sexual harassment – one in Pune involving three minor Dalit girls, and another in Sangli district involving a married woman survivor of domestic abuse.
A delegation of Maharashtra Sadbhavana Manch along with Maharashtra Stree Mukti Parishad, Bharatiya Mahila Federation, Akhil Bharatiya Mahila Andolan and others submitted a memorandum to Pune District Collector, demanding swift legal action, suspension of accused police personnel, and comprehensive protection for the victims.
Three minor Dalit girls were allegedly accused of a crime without evidence, beaten by police, had their mobile phones and belongings destroyed, and were abused with casteist slurs. They were reportedly kept in unlawful detention for several days, enduring severe physical and mental torture.
A married woman, already a victim of domestic violence by her in-laws, approached the police for help. Instead, she was allegedly assaulted, humiliated using caste-based language, and unlawfully detained in the police station. She endured prolonged physical, mental, and sexual harassment during this period.
The memorandum demanded immediate suspension of all accused police personnel until investigations are complete, filing of charges under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, and relevant IPC sections, protection and safe rehabilitation for the victims, including relocation if necessary, reinstatement of the Sangli survivor to her job and living conditions without prejudice, permanent safeguards for the victims’ livelihood, housing, and social security, and full disclosure of the case details and action taken to the Home Department.
These incidents are not isolated – they reflect a dangerous pattern of police abuse targeting women from marginalised communities, said the delegation. “In a democratic society, such actions are unacceptable. The government must act decisively to ensure justice for the victims and prevent recurrence.”
The signatories included Raziya Javed, Convenor of Maharashtra Sadbhavana Manch (Ladies Wing), Tara Bansode and Vasundhara Kalyankar of Bharatiya Mahila Federation, Shaista Quadri and Maheroq Fatema of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind; and Shaista Saeeda.
