Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (EP)

Beltangady, Sep 28: A forest officer here has been accused of meting out third degree torture to a carpenter who was said to have been helping the forest department.

While interrogating, the said officer allegedly repeatedly hit the carpenter's private parts the whole night, demanding to answer if he had stolen teak wood.

The person who was undergoing the unbearable torture is Kamaldas, resident of Puduvettu, Beltangady. A carpenter by profession, his house is close to the forest. Trees fall across roads here during monsoons hindering traffic. The forest officials used to call Kamaldas in such situations for help.

It is said that a forest department staff came to the house of Kamaldas in the evening on September 26 and said that 'Saheb was calling' and asked him to come. Kamaldas, assuming that a tree might have fallen, informed his wife Diana and hurriedly went. But as soon as Kamaldas reached Dharmasthala forest department quarters, he was tied up, it is alleged.

Beltangady zonal forester Keerthan asked Kamaldas if he stole the teak wood. "Are you doing drama after stealing the tree?" he reportedly asked and allegedly started beating him. It is said that the officer hit him with a stick on his private parts after removing his clothes. As he was hit repeatedly on the back, he sustained serious injuries with blood clots on his body.

Beltangady villagers who came to know about the incident, surrounded Beltangady forest department office and expressed their anguish urging for immediate suspension of Keerthan. Later, when his wife went looking for Kamaldas, a commotion ensued and he was released. Kamaldas alleged that Keerthan made him give in writing that the official did not assault him.

Kamaldas who has become weak due to alleged torture was initially treated at Beltangady taluk hospital. He was later admitted to government Wenlock hospital in Mangaluru as injuries sustained on his private parts are said to be serious.

His wife Diana meanwhile said that her husband was innocent. "He used to help the forest department, and it is false that he has stolen teak wood," she said.

The forest department has not registered a case to arrest Kamaldas. It is said that Kamaldas knew about irregularities committed by Keerthan in the department. It is alleged that Keerthan wanted to trouble Kamaldas unnecessarily. It is not known if Kamaldas really stole the wood.