by CD Network

Mangalore, May 3: A half-naked body of a Dalit woman, suspected to be a rape victim, was found in a private well behind a bus stop at Belvai village near Moodbidri on Wednesday.

 

The body of 44-year-old Uma, wife of Chukuda, resident of Nadugudde, was also bearing several injury marks on her body, according to the eye witnesses.

 

The villagers are of the suspicion that some miscreants may have raped and murdered her before throwing the body into the well.

 

Though the incident came to light on Wednesday when a villager approached the well to draw water, the woman had been missing since last Sunday.

 

The torn blouse of the woman, the broken pieces of bangles found at a deserted room near the well and the signs of pulling the woman from the room to the well, gave rise to the suspicion that the miscreants might have raped and murdered her.

 

Uma was last seen on Sunday night at Beluvai. She was the mother of two daughters and a son.

 

 

Case of Suicide

Thought the police have not ruled out the possibility of rape and murder, they have registered a suicide case based on a complaint filed by victim’s brother Krishnappa.

 

The complaint holds Uma’s husband Chukuda responsible for the alleged suicide. The complainant stated that Chukuda, under the influence of alcohol, used to torture his wife every day.

 

However, police have clarified that if they got any sufficient evidence for the rape and murder claim, they would register a case and launch an investigation in that regard.