Woman thrashes 82-year-old man outside court at Dehra Gopipur

Desh Bandhu (82), a social worker and whistle-blower, was mercilessly thrashed by a woman outside the court premises at Dehra Gopipur, 40 km from here, yesterday. The old man had come to the court to record his statement before a magistrate in connection with a civil case pending for the past 12 years.

As soon as Desh Bandhu came out of the court, the woman caught hold of him from the neck and dragged him and beat him. She also tried to blacken his mouth. A large number of people were present there but none tried to save Desh Bandhu and the woman continued to thrash him.

Eyewitnesses said that the people present at the court recorded videos of the incident instead of helping the old man. Desh Bandhu was seriously injured and was taken to the Civil Hospital. The police have registered a case but made no arrest so far.

Desh Bandhu, while talking to The Tribune, said that he had come to the court for recording his statement in connection with a land dispute pending since 2012. He added that he had also filed a complaint with the Kangra Deputy Commissioner regarding this case and sought an independent inquiry pertaining to the ownership of land. However, the matter lingered on.

He said that when witnesses were not secure on the court premises, who would come here to depose before a magistrate? Meanwhile, various social organisations of Dehra Gopipur, Garli Pragpur and Rakkar condemned the incident and demanded action against the woman. The social bodies expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the area.

Manyak Chaudhary, SP, Dehra Gopipur, said a case had been registered in the local police station. The medical report of the old man was still awaited after which further action would be taken.

Instead of helping, people made videos

• The 82-year-old social worker had come to the court to record his statement before a magistrate in connection with a civil case pending for the past 12 years
• Eyewitnesses said people present at the court recorded videos of the incident instead of helping the old man