The Karnataka Social Welfare Department has sanctioned Rs 13.91 lakh for Anish Kumar, a 32-year-old Dalit man whose left hand was severed in a brutal caste-based attack in Malagalu village, Ramanagara district, last year. The funds will cover the cost of a prosthetic limb, as recommended by Otto Bock Health Care India Pvt. Ltd, a medical rehabilitation firm.
An order dated March 28, 2025, cites the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995, which mandate compensation for victims of caste violence. The Social Welfare Department approved the amount as a “special case,” given the severity of the assault.
On July 21, 2024, Anish Kumar, belonging to the Adi Karnataka (SC) community, was ambushed by a group of seven men from the Vokkaliga community while walking with his uncle. The altercation began after the accused allegedly hurled casteist slurs. Soon after, the attackers barged into Anish’s home, assaulted his family, and severed his forearm.
Anish was taken to St. John’s Hospital in Bengaluru, while his family received treatment at Kanakapura Government Hospital. An FIR was filed under multiple sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including attempt to murder, rioting, and criminal intimidation. Four accused have been arrested so far.
The Social Welfare Department had initially sanctioned Rs 12 lakh under victim compensation schemes. After assessing the prosthetic limb’s cost, which is Rs 13,91,670, the government approved the additional amount. The funds were allocated from the Central Sector Scheme.
