NHRC sends notice to AP govt, police over assault on Chittoor woman by moneylender

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a shocking incident in Andhra Pradesh, where a woman was tied to a tree and brutally assaulted by a moneylender in public view.

The incident took place on June 16 in Narayanapuram village of Kuppam mandal, Chittoor district, and was widely reported in the media on June 17.

According to the report, the woman was targeted after her husband failed to repay a loan of Rs 80,000 borrowed from the accused nearly three years ago. The husband, who had also taken loans from other villagers, has reportedly left the village due to financial distress.

Since then, the woman has been supporting their three children by working as a daily wage labourer and has been repaying the loans in small instalments. Despite her efforts, the moneylender allegedly tied her to a tree and assaulted her publicly. The villagers later intervened and rescued her.

Taking serious note of the incident, the NHRC observed that the contents of the media report raise grave concerns about human rights violations. The commission has issued notices to the chief secretary and the DGP, Andhra Pradesh, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.

The NHRC has emphasised the need for accountability and protection of vulnerable individuals, particularly women, from such acts of vigilante violence.