Timely intervention of the revenue and police personnel helped in rescuing a woman from the bizarre superstitious practice of “proving one’s fidelity by dipping hands in boiling oil,” at Tenepalle village of Puthalapattu mandal, located about 30-km from Chittoor, on November 17.
As per information, a farm worker, Gundaiah, had allegedly been suspecting the fidelity of his wife for the last couple of years. The couple reportedly used to quarrel over the issue frequently.
In this backdrop, Mr. Gundaiah arranged an arbitration after consulting the village elders, who had reportedly decided to implement the old and forgotten custom of the village. As per their decision, the woman, whose fidelity to her husband was under suspicion, should dip her hands in a vessel containing boiling oil.
Under the custom, the woman is declared innocent if there is no scalding of the skin, and is declared guilty if she suffers burns.
All arrangements were made for the ritual in the heart of the village.
Upon getting information about it, Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) Gowri rushed to the village along with her team and stalled the process. The police took Mr. Gundaiah to the police station at Puthalapattu and let him off after counselling.
