Karnataka

Police in the west Indian state of Maharashtra on Sunday (May 12) charged five people for allegedly assaulting a Muslim woman for dating a Hindu man. The 26-year-old Muslim woman was allegedly attacked by a group of men who questioned her relation with a 45-year-old Hindu man, identified as Ashok Reddy, an auto driver and resident of Basavakalyan in Bidar district, the police said.

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The incident happened two weeks ago and came to light after it went viral on social media.

Police inspector Ambarish Vagmode informed, “The incident took place two weeks ago at a park on the outskirts of Basavakalyan town. We have received a complaint from auto driver Ashok Reddy, a native of Basavakalyan, who was accompanying the woman. We have booked five persons on Sunday under IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation). We have identified the accused, and a search is underway to arrest them.”

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Assault on interfaith couples 

In another incident, on January 20, an interfaith couple in Haveri district was reportedly harassed by a group of nine people. A Muslim woman and a Hindu man, were allegedly attacked while talking at the Byadagi bus stand. Following a complaint, police arrested all nine individuals and charged them under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

While in a third such incident reported on January 8, in Hanagal, in Haveri district itself, seven people were accused of assaulting an interfaith couple in a hotel room.

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Later, the accused were arrested. 

According to the 26-year-old victim, the assailants verbally abused the couple and physically assaulted them and even filmed the woman, who attempted to shield her identity with a burqa. The woman alleged that she was subjected to gang rape by the group.

(With inputs from agencies)