Man accused of assaulting women activists on run

A goon who misbehaved with five Dalit women activists a week ago in Uttar Pradesh is on the run, with officials planning to auction his house and property, police said Sunday.

Authorities said they were contemplating acting against Sahab Singh Yadav under sections 81/82 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

As per law, his house and other property would be auctioned by police to pressurize him into surrendering.

Admitting that Yadav absconded soon after a case was registered against him, Lalitpur Superintendent of Police J.P. Singh told IANS that the testimony of five women had been recorded.

He also promised to provide security to the women activists. "We are on the case and hope to make arrests soon," Singh said.

The five Dalit women were physically and verbally abused by Yadav. The victims said they were inaugurating the Sahajani Shiksha Kendra (SSK), an adult literacy centre for Dalit women, when they were assaulted.

The incident took place May 12.

"Yadav has not yet been arrested," said Kaniza, an activist from the village. A statement by the activists said two of the Dalit women sustained serious head and body injuries.

"He used caste-based abuses and sexually explicit language to humiliate and intimidate the women," the statement said.

"He also threatened to kill them if they were seen in the area again. The villagers were also threatened with dire consequences if they gave any statement against him," it said.

A massive protest was staged in Lalitpur Thursday to protest the non-arrest of Yadav.

Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police Arun Kumar told IANS that he was not aware of the matter but would ensure that the guilty was booked and the women activists were protected.