A 61-year-old Dalit hotel worker was allegedly assaulted by a customer in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district after he could not immediately provide water to wash the customer’s hands.
The incident took place on September 13 at Murugan Hotel in Pattinamkathan, where the worker, identified as Chellamuthu, works as a parotta master.
The accused, identified as J Dinesh Kumar, has been booked by police but has not yet been arrested.
Worker Allegedly Beaten With Wooden Stick
According to the police FIR, Dinesh had eaten at the hotel and asked Chellamuthu for water to wash his hands. The water container was empty at the time.
Chellamuthu allegedly told him that a supplier had gone to bring water and asked him to wait.
The FIR states that Dinesh then abused Chellamuthu, picked up a wooden reaper kept near the stove and allegedly hit him on his head, ribs and chest.
He allegedly pushed the worker to the ground and stamped on his chest, hip and neck while wearing footwear.
Chellamuthu later went to Kenikkarai police station to report the incident. He was allegedly told that no one was available to register his complaint and was asked to approach the Superintendent of Police’s office.
Worker Later Underwent Surgery
Chellamuthu was admitted to Ramanathapuram Government Hospital the following day after complaining of chest pain.
Although he was discharged, he later returned to hospital after developing seizures. Following a scan, he was referred to Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital, where he underwent surgery on September 22.
The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to causing hurt, using obscene words and aggravated criminal intimidation.
Rights Group Questions SC/ST Act Not Being Invoked
Evidence, a Madurai based rights organisation, has raised questions over the police investigation and sought the use of provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Evidence executive director A Kathir said the law should be considered along with the BNS sections, particularly given the seriousness of the alleged assault.
“This clearly shows Ramanathapuram police have no knowledge of the SC/ST Act,” Kathir said. He argued that in serious cases involving a Dalit victim, the accused does not necessarily have to know the victim’s caste or use casteist slurs for the relevant provisions to be considered.
Ramanathapuram Superintendent of Police G Chandeesh said the complaint initially stated that unknown persons had assaulted the victim.
“The relevant sections can be invoked during the investigation. Investigation is underway,” Chandeesh said.
Police officials investigating the case have reportedly argued that the SC/ST Act may not apply because Dinesh allegedly did not know Chellamuthu’s caste at the time of the assault.
According to Evidence, Dinesh had earlier been arrested in 2014 in connection with a caste killing case involving his elder sister and was later released on bail.
Police have not yet arrested him in the present case.
