Belagavi, 2 May

The police have registered a case against nine people in connection with the alleged social boycott of a Kuruba family in the Kondasakoppa village of Belagavi district.

According to the complaint of victim family member Renuka Sambrekar, the family of Narasoba Kareppa Sambrekara was ostracised by members of the community over temple rituals and personal disputes. Based on the complaint filed on 6 April, an FIR has been lodged at the Hirebagewadi police station.

The accused are Mallappa Sambrekara, Vitthal, Bagnya Ramesh, Malinga, and others.

Police said they have intensified the investigation and are taking steps to ensure protection for the affected family while initiating legal action against those named in the complaint.

However, the incident may not involve the entire family. It is claimed that the boycott was directed at a single individual, reportedly with the consent of his own family.

The individual had frequent disputes with villagers. Acting on the advice of family members, villagers are believed to have made the decision to distance themselves from the community.

Meanwhile, seven families from a village in Bagalkot district have been socially boycotted for not paying money to celebrate the jatre (deity festival).

The pancha committee (village elders' committee) of Hunasikatti village in Jamakhandi taluk banished the families from the village as they failed to contribute to the fair.

The "punishment" was handed down because the families failed to contribute ₹600 for the Hanumanta Devara Jatre.