Workers Brutally Attacked by Owner at Vijayapura Kiln

Vijayapura: In a shocking incident in Vijayapura district, workers at a brick kiln in Gandhinagar were brutally assaulted, allegedly by the kiln owner and his associates.

The victims—Sadashiva Madar, Sadashiva Babaladi, and Umesh Madar—were tied up and beaten with plastic pipes, sustaining severe injuries to their legs, backs, and waists. They have been admitted to the district hospital for treatment.

The assault was reportedly orchestrated by the kiln owner, Khemu Rathod, with assistance from his son Rohan Rathod and others. Vijayapura Rural Police have arrested three individuals, including the owner.

According to the police, the three workers—Sadashiva Basappa Madar, Sadashiva Chandrappa Babaladi, and Umesh Malappa Madar—had been working and residing at the kiln.

On January 13, they left for their village to celebrate the Sankranti festival. On January 15, the brick kiln owner called them, asking them to return to work. The workers requested Rs 10,000 for festival expenses, to which the owner agreed, asking them to report to the kiln.

When the workers arrived at 9.30 am, the owner, his son, and others allegedly tied their hands and legs, confined them in a room, and assaulted them with plastic pipes.

On January 18 at 10 am, the accused reportedly brought the workers out of the room, continued the assault, and then finally released them.

A case has been registered at the Vijayapura Rural Police Station under several sections, including 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 191(2) (Rioting), 191(3) (rioting, being armed with a deadly weapon or with anything which, used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 118(1) (Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 109(1) (attempt to murder), 352 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and 190 (Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offense committed in prosecution of common object) BNS-2023.

The police have arrested three accused- Khemu Rathod, Sachin Manavar, and Vishal Jumnal. A special team has been formed to apprehend the remaining suspects.