The Gujarat’s Morbi Police have filed a case against a businesswoman and six others for assaulting a Dalit employee and forcing him to hold her footwear in his mouth allegedly for demanding his pending salary.
Nilesh Dalsaniya, the 21-year-old Dalit man was hired by Vibhuti Patel, owner of Raniba Industries Pvt. Ltd, in early October on a monthly salary of Rs 12,000. However, his contract was abruptly terminated on October 18.
When Dalsaniya sought his salary for the 16 days he had worked, Patel did not provide a clear response and ceased communication.
When Dalsaniya, along with his brother and a neighbour, visited Vibhuti Patel’s office, the businesswoman’s brother Om Patel and his accomplices allegedly assaulted them.
The FIR filed by the police states that Vibhuti Patel also slapped Dalsaniya and took him to the terrace of the commercial complex, where he was subjected to physical assault by other employees.
Dalsaniya was beaten with belts, kicked, and punched by the accused, including Parikshit Patel, Om Patel, and unidentified individuals, according to the FIR.
Vibhuti Patel allegedly forced Dalsaniya to put her footwear in his mouth, making him apologise for demanding his salary. She also threatened him with harm if he returned to the Ravapar Crossroad area, the FIR states.
The accused filmed the incident, coercing Dalsaniya to confess on video that he had come to Vibhuti’s office to extort money. Following the assault, the Dalit man was taken to Morbi civil hospital for treatment.
“All the accused face charges of assault, criminal intimidation, rioting, and relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,” Pratipalsinh Zala, Deputy Superintendent of Police (SC/ST Cell) said.
Zala also said that following the complaint, the police conducted searches at the residences of all the accused but found no one. He added that three separate teams have been formed to locate them.