The Times of India News Service

MANDYA: The Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) has demanded Rs 2 lakh compensation to the kin of a Dalit girl, a rape victim. It is alleged that the girl, who was minor, died due to negligence of doctors here on Monday.

Pushpa, daughter of Narayana of Doddakothagere, had been allegedly raped by a Jayaram, son of Gindepalegowda of Chandagalu, near here. He had taken her to Dr Shambhavi of Basaralu primary health centre to get abortion done.

It has been alleged that due to the negligence of Dr Shambhavi, Pushpa fell ill and was later admitted to Suraksha Nursing Home in Mandya. An ill-fated Pushpa did not recover there also as her ailment was not diagnosed properly.

She fell into a coma and her father, who owned a strip of land, sold it to bear medical expenses. However, both Pushpa and her father's struggle did not succeed as the girl died on Monday after a 45-day strenuous battle.

The DSS leaders had convened a press conference here on Tuesday and set May 20 deadline to provide the relief. Guruprasad Keragodu, M.B. Srinivas and others were present.

Jayaram, the accused, has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Both Dr Shambhavi of the health centres and Dr Sarvamangala, working at the nursing home, have surrendered before the court.

The DSS activists had earlier refused to cremate Pushpa's body and planned to launch a protest demanding action against the doctors. The police, who intervened on time, managed to convince the DSS leaders to cremate the body and assured them of suitable action.