A 34-year-old domestic worker and her husband were allegedly detained and brutally beaten by the Varthur police after they were accused of stealing a diamond ring from the house of a technical couple she worked for.
The woman was released only after a social activist intervened and demanded an explanation from the police.
The incident took place on October 30 when Sundari Bibi, a native of West Bengal and a resident of a labor colony on Balagere Road, was summoned to the Varthur police station. Sundari, who has been working for the couple for the past three months, went to the station along with her husband, a garbage truck driver.
According to sources, the employers accused Sundari of stealing the diamond ring after she conducted a ‘sting’ – allegedly dropping a ₹100 note on the floor to watch her reaction. CCTV footage reportedly showed Sundari picking up the ticket, which she claimed she intended to return later. Based on the footage, the couple lodged a complaint with the Varthur police.
Sundari said that once she and her husband reached the station, they were allegedly detained and assaulted by seven police officers, including four men and three women.
“I pleaded my innocence but they kept beating me with lathis and calling me Bangladeshi. Most of the abuse was in Kannada, which I did not understand,” she told The Hindu. Her husband was also allegedly attacked for supporting her.
Screams from inside the police station reportedly attracted the attention of nearby migrant workers, who alerted city-based social activist R. Kaleemulla. He called the station and informed the police about the incident. After his intervention, the police released Sundari.
Sundari was later taken to Bowring Hospital where doctors registered a Medico-Legal Case (MLC).
“The police have no right to beat anyone, especially women, on mere allegations. There are legal methods to investigate and find the truth,” Mr Kaleemulla said.
Published – 02 Nov 2025 19:34 IST
