Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal
Bhatkal, Jan 7: One usually hears of cases where a woman is tortured by her in-laws. In this case reported at Gulmi here, a man was allegedly kept under house arrest for two months and tortured by his in-laws.
Muhammad Affan Shaikh (27) was kept confined in his wife's house from two months and allegedly tortured by his mother-in-law Zulaikha, father-in-law Abbas and brother-inlaw Salim.
The locals rescued him and with the help of the police, shifted him to the government hospital. Doctors suggested that he be taken to Udupi for advanced treatment, and now he has been shifted to Manipal, sources said.
It is learnt that Affan had been earlier working in a mosque. He got married a year ago, after which his father-in-law forced him to give up the work at the mosque. Thereafter, he started working in a fruit shop and earning Rs 300 a day. Sources said that he would give his entire earnings to his wife.
However, his in-laws reportedly wanted him to earn more and put pressure on him, and unable to bear their constant nagging, he left the house and escaped. After sometime, his in-laws learnt that he was in Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh. He was then brought back to Bhatkal and allegedly locked up in a room.
Sources said that for the past two months, Affan's in-laws had been allegedly torturing him in various ways. His back had burn injuries, reportedly sustained after his mother-in-law Zuleikha threw boiling water on him twice. He was also allegedly beaten with belts, pipes and sticks.
When the locals came to know about the torture and went to the family's residence, Abbas fought with them and refused to allow them in, it is said.
Finally, on the night of Wednesday January 6, the locals informed the police, and together they rescued Affan and shifted him to the government hospital. It is said that when the police came to rescue him, Affan hid under the bed and was reluctant to cooperate out of fear.
Circle inspector Prashant Nayak, rural SI Manjunath and other police officials visited the hospital. The police asked Affan's parents to visit the police station and file a complaint. They have also taken Affan's statement but FIR is yet to be filed.
As news spread, hundreds of people gathered outside the government hospital late Wednesday night.