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A senior lawyer in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram has been booked in connection with a physical harassment complaint filed by a woman advocate who practised as his junior. The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 13 in Vanchiyoor. The accused was identified as Beyline Das, an advocate in the Thiruvananthapuram Bar Council.
According to Syamili, the complainant, Beyline was allegedly beaten in her face multiple times. The assault left Syamili with serious injuries in her face, especially her cheek and eye and she is currently under medical care.
Syamili had worked under Beyline Das for the past few years. Earlier, he had terminated Syamili over an internal issue in the office. On Tuesday, she went to his office to meet him and clarify things.
“I said, I need to talk to him personally. But he refused it. Then I warned the new employee in the office not to interfere with my things. At that moment, he suddenly shouted at me and beat me. I fell, and he continued to beat me. I don’t properly remember what happened then,” she explained to the media.
Syamili told the media that Beyline always behaves rudely with his juniors as well as office assistants. She also mentioned another incident of physical abuse when she was pregnant. “That was not as serious as what he did today. Then he apologised,” she added.
Following Syamili’s complaint, the Vanjiyoor police registered a First Information Report and Beyline was booked under sections 126(2)[wrongful restraint], 74 [ assault or the use of criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty], and 115(2) [punishment for voluntarily causing hurt] of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
According to reports, Beyline absconded after this incident.
After the incident, the Thiruvananthapuram Bar Association suspended Beyline and asked him for an explanation.