Bengaluru: Former corporator’s brother accused of assaulting woman

Bengaluru: Even after a criminal complaint was filed and an FIR registered against a former corporator’s brother for assaulting and abusing a woman in Neelasandra, the victim claims that the accused and his associates continue to threaten her and her family to withdraw the complaint.

Mani, the brother of former corporator from Vannarpet S. Vijayan, was accused of assaulting and verbally abusing the 42-year-old woman, A. Magi, a resident of Neelasandra, on May 12. The victim’s husband, David Slim, an advocate, said that Mani was harassing and demanding money from Vijaykumari, Magi’s sister, for about two weeks before the incident.

“On May 12, my wife questioned Mani while he was threatening Vijayakumari. He hit Magi on the head with a wooden log,” David said. “Mani is notorious in the area, and he extorts money from the people,” he said.

Magi and Slim filed a complaint against Mani at the Ashok Nagar police station. “The same day the FIR was registered, Mani went to Vijayakumari’s house thrice and threatened her to get the complaint withdrawn,” said David. “He and his goons came at 9.30 pm, 1.30 am and again at 4 am. Every time he came near Vijayakumari’s house, we informed the police, but when the police arrived, Mani and his men would vanish,” David alleged.

“The police are responding to our calls and arriving at the spot promptly, but why are they not arresting Mani and his aides,” he asked. “It is over 15 days since we registered the complaint, and the police seem to be waiting for Mani to secure an anticipatory bail,” David said.

Magi and David recently approached City Police Commissioner M.N. Reddi, seeking protection and Mr Reddi has directed the DCP (Central Division) and the Ashok Nagar police inspector to look into the case personally.

“The victim and her husband are alleging that the accused is coming to their area and threatening them. But our team has not been able to trace him as Mani, who is absconding now,” a senior police officer said. Primarily, the dispute is over money and it is said the family of the victim owes Mani lakhs of rupees.

Victim’s family owes Rs 11 lakh

Former corporator S. Vijayan told Deccan Chronicle, “Vijayakumari, A. Magi and her lawyer husband David have to give my brother Mani nearly Rs 11 lakh, which he had invested in the chit fund run by the family. The complainant and her sister have been our neighbours for the last 15–20 years. When my brother went to ask for the money, both the sisters created a ruckus and lodged a complaint against my brother. As a former corporator, I am cooperating with the police and have conveyed to my brother that he should surrender before the police.”