Karnataka: Encounter victim left in the cold

Mysuru: Thirty-three-year old Venkatesh Bovi awaits justice even 22 months after a fake encounter by forest officials, during which he lost his left arm due to bullet injury.

The forest officials shot at Venkatesh on March 14, 2015, when Venkatesh was reportedly returning after grazing cattle, which had strayed into the neighbourhood agricultural land.

Though Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC), in an interim order dated November 23, 2016, called for an inquiry by H.D. Kote taluk magistrate (Tahsildar) and directed district authorities to submit action taken report in three months, it is yet to happen.

Venkatesh said, "Initially when my wife went to lodge a complaint, they asked her to focus on my treatment. Later too they refused to accept the complaint. My wife then lodged a complaint with KSHRC. While it had directed IGP Southern Range and SP of Mysuru district for an inquiry, the police told them they would not be able to initiate action against forest officers without an executive magistrate inquiry."

Later KSHRC directed Sargur Police to initiate inquiry and involve Taluk magistrate in it, he added.

Last week Venkatesh met Social Welfare Minister Anjaneya and would send an official memorandum to the minister. He said, "Last week too when we went to file a case against forest officials, the Sargur Police refused to accept it saying it was too late," Venkatesh said.

Venkatesh claimed that, "I was no hunter and nor had I entered the forest range. Forest officers fired without checking facts. Though the incident occurred in the night, around 9pm, I was taken to hospital only the next day at 10 am."

His was refused treatment at K.R. Hospital in Mysuru and Victoria hospital in Bengaluru and finally on March 16 he was admitted at Sparsh hospital, Bengaluru.

As Venkatesh was a diabetic, the bullet injury caused gangrene and the doctors had to amputate his left hand.

He said, "The Government has not borne my treatment expenditure. Now I cannot take up any work and I am left with no means for livelihood now. I was the sole bread-winner for my family," he said.

On the other hand the forest officers, who reportedly fired at Venkatesh, have filed a case with Sargur Police, accusing him of entering Kurnegala, Mooleyur tiger reserves, Mooleyur division, Bandipur for hunting. They stated that he was caught with weapons and they had fired in self defence. A chargesheet has been filed by police in this regard.