Dairy secretary assaulted after dispute over milk quality in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: A routine quality check at the Goravigere village dairy turned violent after a group of milk suppliers allegedly assaulted and threatened the Milk Producers Cooperative Society secretary for questioning the quality of milk brought for collection on Feb 20.The injured secretary, Thulasamma accused Siddesh, Vijay Kumar, Naveen Kumar, Mahesh and Babu of assaulting her in a complaint to Avalahally police.
During the inspection between 8am and 8.20am, she reportedly found the quality to be substandard. Thulasamma told TOI that standard milk quality should have 3.5% fat, but the milk brought by the accused ranged between 1.9% and 2.9% fat, and its water content was between 30% and 40%. Because of its quality, she refused to accept their milk. Angered, the accused allegedly began verbally abusing her. She alleged they made inappropriate remarks about her attire, as she was wearing a sweater over a nightie, and accused them of assaulting her by pulling her by the hands, causing injuries. She also claimed the group threatened her with dire consequences, warning that they would not "leave her". Thulasamma and other members gathered at the spot and called police helpline 112. Before police reached the spot, the accused allegedly escaped. A case was registered under the BNS sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and an investigation is under way. A senior police officer said the dispute between the complainant and the accused had started during the recent elections.