A lecturer of Commerce and his associate were arrested in Odisha’s Puri district on Thursday, days after he allegedly assaulted his wife, who he accused of having an extramarital relationship, garlanded her with slippers, and paraded her on the road along with a male friend of hers.
Police said the lecturer (45) and his associate were arrested based on a complaint filed by the man’s wife (37). They were charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita that deal with assault, outraging the modesty of a woman, criminal intimidation, and public humiliation.
According to the police, the woman, who is a teacher, has been living separately from her husband for several years due to a marital dispute. She lives in a rented house along with her 14-year-old son, they said.
On Tuesday at around 8 pm, her husband and his associate barged into the rented house.
“The lecturer got furious after he found her wife with a male friend, who is also a teacher. He and his friend assaulted the woman and her companion. The assailants also recorded videos of the woman and her male friend as they were being dragged out of the house, assaulted, garlanded with slippers and made to walk through the streets,” said a police officer.
As per video clips that have gone viral on social media, her male friend was also stripped down while the two were forced to walk towards the police station by the lecturer and his associate. They were also surrounded by a crowd. The woman was seen crying as she was pushed along the road by her husband.
“We have seized two mobile phone, a motorcycle and a hammer, among other articles. Further investigation into the matter is underway. If we find that any others are involved, we will take action accordingly,” said the police officer.
