Bengaluru: A 45-year-old woman has been a victim of domestic violence by none other than her own sons and husband for over a year now and the saddest part is that her own family is trying to prove that she is mentally unstable.
Mangala Gowri had lodged a complaint with the Women’s Helpline after she was thrown out of her house a year ago. “After several counseling sessions, even after the Helpline gave it in writing that no violence should be meted out to me, my husband and sons did not allow me inside the house.
They beat me up and threw my luggage all over the road on Friday night,” said a sobbing Mangala Gowri.
Mangala waited outside the house till 12.30 am on Saturday, but her husband and sons remained inside after shutting the house doors and gates. She called up the police, but they refused to intervene saying it was a family dispute.
The policemen, who arrived at the spot, abused Mangala, told her that she had been fooled by her advocate and asked her to vacate the place. She has now submitted a petition with the police commissioner requesting police help.
Mangala’s husband Kempegowda, who is around 48 years old, owns a banana shop. Their two sons Sridhar, 27 and Srikanth 31 and a daughter are married. The family owns a house near Lalbagh and has rented out two portions.
Mangala, who has been working as a facility staff at a college in Jayanagar for over a decade, admits that she does not give her salary to her husband or sons.
“Its’ only because of this I am being treated like an animal. My son Sridhar kicks me till I fall down, and my husband spits on my face and twists my arms and legs. They attack me in front of my daughter-in-laws,” she said.
“When I come home from work, my son removes the electric fuse and disappears leaving me in the dark without electricity. They don’t let me cook nor do they give me food” she said.
“My husband and sons attended the counseling sessions and told the authorities that I have lost my mental balance. The counselors took me to Nimhans and I was subjected to tests. I am not sure to what extent I will be insulted and abused further, but they will not stop,” she said.
“I have scars and bruises all over my body because of violence by my husband and sons. I showed my bruises to the counselors of the Women’s Helpline,” said Mangala, showing her fresh wound on her elbow that she sustained on Friday night when she was pushed to the ground.
Mangala over the last one year has been shuttling from one shelter to the other offered to her by a couple of Women Helpline NGOs. As she is continuing to work, the NGOs are unable to accommodate as it would be in violation of rules. She is at present staying in a paying guest accommodation in Jayanagar.
