Women in shackles: 2 cases shock helpline counsellors

BENGALURU: Two recent instances where a lecturer and a homemaker were kept on a leash with padlocks and technology, respectively, have left personnel at

Vanitha Sahayavani

, the women’s

helpline

at the police commissioner’s office, shocked.

Both the women approached the helpline last month. Vinitha (24), a lecturer at a Benglauru college, married Belagavi-based Vikram (33), an engineer with a central government body in 2015 and settled down in Thippasandra. Cracks began developing in their relationship in mid-2016.

“He started dominating her at every step. He ordered her to keep standing next to him when he dined at home. When she disobeyed, he assaulted her. In an extreme step, he bought different kinds of padlocks to punish her for every act against his will,” narrated

BS Saraswathi

, senior counsellor at Vanitha Sahayavani.

If the quarrel was over food, the man would lock Vinitha out of the kitchen for days, forcing her to find food outside. After an argument over hot water, he locked the bathroom for two days, denying her entry.

“When he tried to get physical with her, she refused. Enraged, the husband locked the bathroom and bedroom from morning to evening till he returned from work. Even when he was at home, he didn’t allow the wife to use the bathroom or bedroom,” Saraswathi said.

According to the counsellors, the events drove Vinitha to severe androphobia. She developed a fear of any male, even her father. Her family initially approached the

Lokayukta

, and was referred to the police commissionerate for counselling.