BENGALURU/ DHARWAD: Mallamma, wife of slain BJP worker Yogish Gowda, has approached chairperson of the State Women’s Commission and complained that she is being harassed by three of her relatives. She said they were spreading rumours that she was kidnapped by Congress workers. Gowda was hacked to death by five people in Dharwad in June last year. BJP leaders had termed it a political murder and demanded minister Vinay Kulkarni’s resignation after Gowda’s family alleged his involvement in the murder.
Nagalakshmi Bai, Chairperson of the Commission, said, “In her complaint, Mallamma told us that she was mentally stressed after her husband’s murder. Hence, she was referred to a private ayurvedic hospital in Shivamogga for therapy. In the meantime, her relatives, Gurunath Gowda, Basavaraj Koravara and others allegedly told media that she had been kidnapped by political party workers. They are trying to politicise her husband’s murder.”
Bai said that Mallamma needs police protection as her life is under threat. “She has suffered embarrassment over the incident when she is still grieving over the loss of her husband. I have discussed the matter with police officials in Dharwad to take further action,” she told Express.
Meanwhile, Gowda’s family members said they were surprised to find “missing” Mallamma appearing before the Women’s Commission. Her refusal to blame Kulkarni for the murder of her husband has also left them perplexed.