A distressing situation has come to light in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, involving a father accused of driving his minor daughter and son out of their own home. The conflict is rooted in the father's desire for a second marriage, which has reportedly led to the total ostracization of his children. The victim, Saket Baghel, arrived at a public grievance hearing along with his 12-year-old sister to seek justice against their father, Santosh Baghel. The siblings allege that not only has he forced them out of their family home, but he is also attempting to drive them away from the garage they have been operating for their livelihood.
Seeking help at public hearings
Deeply affected by these events, the siblings had previously submitted a formal complaint to the local police. However, due to the lack of any subsequent action, they were left with no choice but to bring the matter to the public hearing. They are now urging the administration to step in and provide them with the protection they need to survive and escape the ongoing harassment from their father and his associates. According to the victims, their father is being actively supported in these actions by five of his sisters and their respective husbands.
Allegations surrounding mother's death
Saket Baghel provided a harrowing account of his father's behavior, claiming that even while their mother, Premlata Baghel, was still alive, their father frequently spoke of entering into a second marriage. According to Saket, in March 2021, his father, along with his aunts and uncles, conspired to commit a heinous crime. They allegedly beat his mother severely and then threw her into a well, leading to her death. Saket revealed that he and his younger sister were terrified into silence at the time. A sharp sickle was held to his sister's neck with death threats, which kept them silenced for years until they finally found the courage to speak out.
Ongoing cycle of threats
Saket and his sister remain in fear for their lives. After being forced out of their home, they had relocated from their village of Bhimodi to Paraswada, where they had been managing a garage. However, Saket alleges that their father and uncle track them down even there. They are frequently confronted with threats and warnings that their garage will be demolished. The father reportedly denies they are his own children, leaving the siblings feeling highly vulnerable and fearing for their physical safety.
Police inaction and current situation
The siblings were officially cast out of their home this past March, which prompted their move to Paraswada. Saket noted that they had previously reported their mother's death and their subsequent abuse to the Paraswada police station, but the authorities failed to process their complaint. The police had suggested that the complaint was overly extensive, and no action was taken on the matter. Regarding his minor sister's condition, Saket stated that she is so traumatized by her father's behavior that she refuses to ever live with him again. She has accused her father of severe emotional and physical abuse, including threats of being poisoned.
