After 2-Year Fight, Bengaluru Dalit Couple Enter Basaveshwara Temple Under Police Protection
Satish and Shwetha’s ordeal began two years ago when they travelled to the temple in Hulikere village of Maddur taluk in Mandya to perform a ritual for their son When the couple raised objections at being denied temple entry, they found little support locally, with village leaders failing to intervene or ensure access. (AI Generated) When the couple raised objections at being denied temple entry, they found little support locally, with village leaders failing to intervene or ensure access. (AI Generated) After a two-year battle that took them to multiple authorities, including the Human Rights Commission, a Bengaluru-based Dalit couple were finally able to enter the Basaveshwara Temple in Mandya district this week — a reminder that caste-based discrimination in places of worship continues to persist in parts of India despite constitutional guarantees. Satish and Shwetha’s ordeal began two years ago when they travelled to the temple in Hulikere village of Maddur taluk in Mandya to perform a ritual for their son. The priest, however, allegedly denied them entry on the basis of their caste. When the couple raised objections, they found little support locally, with village leaders failing to intervene or ensure access. With no immediate resolution in sight, the couple chose to pursue legal remedies — an often long and arduous process for victims of caste discrimination. They approached multiple authorities, including the Social Welfare Department, the Human Rights Commission, the Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate, and the Mandya district police, seeking enforcement of their basic rights. India’s Constitution guarantees equality before the law under Article 14 and explicitly abolishes ‘untouchability’ under Article 17, making its practise in any form a punishable offence. Additionally, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, criminalises the denial of access to public places, including temples, on caste grounds. Despite this legal framework, incidents of Dalits being denied entry into temples or facing segregation during religious practices continue to be reported from several states, pointing to a gap between law and on-ground implementation. In this case, the couple’s persistence eventually paid off. Officials facilitated their entry into the temple this week under police protection. Accompanied by Maddur Tahsildar Parushuram Sattigeri, Satish and Shwetha were able to offer prayers — an act that should have been routine, but instead became the culmination of a prolonged fight for dignity and equal access. Satish works as a driver, while Shwetha is an accountant in a private company. Their case underscores both the resilience required to challenge entrenched social practices and the continuing need for stricter enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in India. Courtesy : News18 Note: This news is originally published on https:/news18.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
“Give Us Justice or Let Us Die”: Injured Dalit Family Seeks Mass Suicide Permission After Alleged Assault
A Dalit family in Neemuch protests inside a hospital, alleging caste violence and police inaction, demanding justice and protection.Photo: Voice of MPSupport Us donations A Dalit family in Neemuch district, Madhya Pradesh, has staged a protest inside a government hospital, alleging caste-based violence and police inaction. The family, injured in an alleged attack, is demanding justice and has even sought permission for mass suicide if their pleas are ignored. Family Alleges Caste Abuse and Violent Attack The incident began on February 26 in Dasia village over a dispute related to a chickpea crop. Victim Premchand Mogiya accused local men, Mohan Singh and Babu Singh, of assaulting his daughter and abusing her with casteist slurs. The family claimed that when they approached the police, officials delayed registering an FIR. “We were forced to complain through the CM helpline because the police did not act,” the family said. They alleged that after filing the complaint, the accused attacked them again on March 15 with sticks, leaving Premchand, his wife, and daughter seriously injured. Protest Inside Hospital Currently undergoing treatment at the district hospital, the family is protesting with placards expressing fear and anger. Messages on the placards read: “Stop atrocities against Dalits,” “Stop hooliganism under police protection,” and “Give us justice or allow us to commit mass suicide.” The family also said they are being forced to leave their village due to fear. “Because of police protection to casteist goons, we may have to abandon our home and land,” one placard read. Allegations Against Police The victims have accused the police of protecting the accused and not applying relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act initially. “They deliberately ignored serious charges and registered a weaker case,” the family alleged, adding that they were also pressured to withdraw their complaint. Police Deny Charges Police officials have rejected the allegations. Station House Officer Shabbi Mew said, “No protection is being given to the accused. At the time of the initial complaint, there was no assault reported, so we tried to resolve the matter.” Neemuch City police officer Pushpa Chauhan said an FIR was later registered after the assault. “The SC/ST Act was added once the caste certificate was provided,” she clarified. Appeal to Chief Minister The family has appealed to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for a fair investigation, strict action against the accused, and immediate security. “We have lost faith in the system. Either give us justice or allow us to end our lives,” the family said, highlighting their desperation. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
A Decade After Una’s Shame, Justice Is Served But Its Taste Turns Bitter As Convicts Walk Free On Time Served
Ten years after the shocking 2016 Una flogging of Dalit youths in Mota Samadhiyala, Gujarat, the Veraval Sessions Court convicted five men. Each received five years under the Atrocities Act, with additional IPC sentences. However, concurrent sentencing and time served mean they are likely to be released soon, sparking debate over justice and accountability for caste-based violence. A decade after the shocking public flogging of Dalit youths in Gujarat’s Una sent shockwaves across the nation, a local court has finally delivered its verdict—closing a painful chapter, but opening fresh debate on justice and accountability. | Veraval: A decade after the shocking public flogging of Dalit youths in Gujarat’s Una sent shockwaves across the nation, a local court has finally delivered its verdict—closing a painful chapter, but opening fresh debate on justice and accountability. Five Convicted in Landmark Case The Veraval Sessions Court in Gir Somnath on Monday convicted five men for their role in the brutal 2016 assault that saw Dalit youths stripped and beaten in public in Mota Samadhiyala village. The incident, widely referred to as the Una flogging case, had become a flashpoint for Dalit rights movements across India. Pronouncing a detailed 340-page judgment, Sessions Judge Pandya held the accused—Ramesh Jadav, Rakesh Joshi, Pramod Goswami, Nagji Daya and Balwant Goswami—guilty of a premeditated attack and acts of torture. Five-Year Term Under Atrocities Act The court sentenced all five convicts to five years’ imprisonment under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Additional sentences include three years under IPC Sections 523 and 524, and two years under Sections 342 and 504, along with a fine of ₹5,000 each. However, in a twist that has triggered mixed reactions, the court ordered that all sentences run concurrently. As the convicts have already spent over six years in jail during trial, they are deemed to have completed their sentence—effectively clearing the way for their release after due legal procedures. “This verdict is historic in terms of conviction, but the effective release of the accused raises serious questions,” said a social activist familiar with the case. “For the victims, justice feels incomplete.” The Incident That Shook the Nation The 2016 incident had drawn nationwide outrage after videos surfaced showing Dalit youths being tied to a vehicle, stripped and flogged for allegedly skinning a dead cow—an act they said was part of their traditional occupation. The case had become a symbol of caste-based violence and triggered widespread protests, including a massive Dalit uprising across Gujarat. Legal experts noted that while the conviction under the Atrocities Act is significant, the concurrent sentencing structure has diluted the punitive impact. “It underscores the gap between legal justice and societal expectations,” one lawyer commented. Security was tightened in and around the court premises and sensitive areas of the district to prevent any law and order issues following the verdict. Authorities remained on alert amid concerns over potential unrest. For the victims and their families, the judgment brings closure—but not necessarily solace. “We waited ten years for this day,” a relative of one victim said. “But seeing the accused walk free so soon is painful.” Courtesy : TFPJ Note: This news is originally published on https:/thefreepressjournal.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Anti-Ambedkar’ BJP used money power, deployed ‘agent RO’ to defeat dalit activist in Haryana Rajya Sabha: Congress
NEW DELHI: Congress on Tuesday said the governing BJP employed “money power, threats and misuse of returning officer” to win the Haryana Rajya Sabha election at any cost, as it slammed the rival for again “exposing its anti-Ambedkar character” by trying to steal the parliament membership of grassroots Dalit activist Karamvir Boudh. After scraping a victory in the Haryana RS polls, despite cross voting by five Congress MLAs and four of its votes declared invalid, Congress MP Deepender Hooda said BJP had appointed Gujarat deputy CM as the observer for the polls which showed that the BJP leadership wanted to win the election irrespective of the tactic used. “BJP tried to murder democracy in the dark of night. All the four votes declared as invalid were completely valid. They had even been put in the tray of valid votes by an official. But this was done by a blatantly partisan RO (returning officer) to contrive the numbers in favour of BJP,” he told a press conference with Congress’s scheduled castes department chairman Rajendra Pal Gautam. Deepender said Congress will take strong action against the MLAs who cross voted and betrayed the party, adding that people will not forgive the legislators who betrayed their mandate. He said BJP wanted to engineer cross-voting by nine or seven Congress legislators while securing two votes of INLD. He said INLD, “which is B-team of BJP”, declared its decision to abstain from polling barely half an hour before the voting ended, because it was sure that Congress was winning the election. He said when BJP’s “game of pressure and money” failed, BJP employed its third strategy of fixing the play through RO. “RO worked as a BJP agent,” he added. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Una Dalit flogging case: 5 sent to 5 years in jail; 35 acquitted
All five convicted individuals, who are currently out on bail, have already spent over five years in jail, meaning they may not have to serve the sentence. Ahmedabad: A special court on Tuesday sentenced five individuals to five years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 each in the Una Dalit flogging case, a day after finding them guilty even as it acquitted 35 other suspects All five convicted individuals, who are currently out on bail, have already spent over five years in jail, meaning they may not have to serve the sentence. The court of additional sessions judge Jignesh Pandya pronounced the quantum of sentence after finding them guilty under the charges of voluntarily causing hurt using dangerous weapons (IPC 324), wrongful confinement (IPC 342) and intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace (IPC 504) and charges under section of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes (prevention) act. Those who have been sentenced are Ramesh Jadav, Rakesh Joshi, Pramod Giri Goswami, Nagji Daya, and Balwant Goswami. The court didn’t find evidence to prosecute them under charges of attempt to murder, unlawful assembly and conspiracy, the stringent sections which have provision of life sentence. They were beaten up for skinning a dead cow. Vasram, Ramesh, Ashok and Becher were caught by the accused and were paraded in public while they were tied to an SUV. Investigation revealed that the family was skinning a dead cow, which had been killed by an Asiatic lioness. The court found that the prosecution failed to prove the charges with sufficient evidence. The order states that nothing came on record to show that the cow was actually killed by the lioness, as there was no detail of any compensation given to the owner of the cow. Meanwhile, Vasram Sarvaiya told DH that they were “sad” with the judgment. He said that “the fight would continue as he will challenge the judgment.” Similarly, Dalit leader and Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani also expressed “shock” over the judgment. Noting that the provision for awarding compensation lies with the district magistrate, the court has directed the District Legal Service Authority to provide free copies of Mahatma Gandhi’s book, My Experiment with Truth, to the victims to “support their mental well-being and help them endure the wrongs they have faced within the limits of the law.” The judge further stated that a similar directive could have been issued for the accused persons also, but there is no provision in the law to do so. The court directed the government to look into cow slaughter offences thoroughly. Courtesy : DH Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanherald.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
UP’s caste cauldron simmers as parties vie for Dalit vote pie
Lucknow: With state assembly elections round the corner, Dalit politics is back in reckoning. The remarks made by Congress MP and the leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi on Kanshi Ram during an event to mark the Dalit leader’s birth anniversary drew a sharp response from BSP president Mayawati. Rahul said that had the Congress party not made mistakes, BSP founder Kanshi Ram would not have become a Dalit messiah. “Had Jawaharlal Nehru been alive, he would have made Kanshi Ram a chief minister from the Congress,” he said. Reacting to the statement, Mayawati said in a social media post that when Congress did not respect BR Ambedkar and did not mourn the death of Kanshi Ram even for a day, even though he was in the govt at the Centre, how could one expect the Congress to honour Dalits. “It was the anti-Dalit policies of the Congress which forced late Kanshi Ram to establish BSP,” she said. Later, Rahul Gandhi wrote to the PM seeking Bharat Ratna for Kanshi Ram. A similar demand was made by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav earlier. The BSP chief did not spare Akhilesh too and said that even the then Samajwadi Party govt did not announce mourning for even a day when Kanshi Ram passed away. According to political observers, more than honouring Kanshi Ram, parties are vying for Dalit votes as assembly election is scheduled early next year. They believe that be the sense of insecurity surrounding BSP chief Mayawati, or the BJP’s aggressive Hindutva plank, the BSP’s march has slowed down, and the party is losing its grip on Dalit voters, including Jatavs. The opposition, however, has been claiming that Mayawati acts under the pressure of the BJP. The BSP could get only 9.88% vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and had lost all the seats in UP. It won 10 Lok Sabha seats in the 2019 polls with a vote share of over 19%. With BSP’s gradual downfall, the Congress, the Samajwadi Party, and the BJP are seeing it as an opportunity. More so when the poor performance by the BSP and the BJP resulted in the Congress-SP alliance winning 43 seats (37 by SP, the biggest win since the party was born, and 6 by Congress). The result boosted the morale of the SP-Congress combine. With elections due next year, both the parties are separately trying to prove themselves as the genuine claimant of Dalit votes. According to political observers, the reason is obvious. Even though the result has been in favour of the Congress-SP alliance, there has been a debate if the slight shift in Dalit votes towards the alliance was because of the Congress or the Samajwadi Party. Both the parties continue to take credit for the shift. Be it the Congress or the SP, whichever party proves its worth before the Dalits, it will be in a better position to negotiate on seats if they both decide to contest assembly elections hand in hand. Dalits are about 21% in Uttar Pradesh. Staking a claim on such a big chunk will be advantageous in the assembly polls. Wary of the Congress and SP tactics, Mayawati is leaving no chance to scuttle their moves by coming up with counterclaims. Just like Congress, which is struggling for its revival in UP since 1989, the BSP is also striving to make a comeback. BSP is also trying hard to attract the youth. While the older generation continues to be loyal to the BSP, young voters are seeing hope in Azad Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad. It is for this reason that Mayawati has presented her nephew Akash Anand as her alternative. However, Mayawati’s “blow hot and cold policy” towards Akash has failed to mobilise youths as expected. Even as the SP, Congress and the BSP try to prove themselves as the right party for Dalits, the BJP’s concern is to keep intact non-Jatav Dalits in party fold and ensure that Jatavs don’t shift towards the Congress or SP. The BJP is better placed if Jatavs remain loyal to the BSP as this will only allow Mayawati to win a few seats. However, if Jatavs shift towards Congress-SP alliance, the combination of Muslims and Jatavs could become lethal for the BJP, especially in west UP. Caste politics once again expected to take centrestage in the assembly polls. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Murder triggers protests by Dalit community in city
Rajkot: The murder of 32-year-old Bhavesh Vanvi led to a tense law and order situation in the city on Monday night, as members of the Dalit community protested outside Civil Hospital. Bhavesh Vanvi was allegedly kidnapped in a car near Dream City in the Raiyadhar area on Sunday night and was later dumped near Sheetal Park. He was rushed to Civil Hospital in a critical condition and died in the early hours of Monday. News of his death led to large protests, with members of the Dalit community gathering at the hospital and refusing to accept the body for last rites. Demonstrators blocked the hospital square, raised slogans and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible. Police intervened to control the situation and detained 20 individuals, including some community leaders, for rioting and obstructing public servants. A case was registered at A Division police station. During the protest, assistant sub-inspector Sanjay Dafda of Rajkot city crime branch was allegedly pushed and assaulted while on duty, prompting another complaint. Meanwhile, police arrested three persons — Ravi Jogarana (33), Sagar Jogarana (26) and Gopal Jogarana (22) — for their alleged role in the murder. According to investigating officer Chintan Patel, the prime accused, Hamir Jogarana, remains absconding, along with others identified as Dev Karan, Vikram and Bhuro. The preliminary inquiry suggests the crime stemmed from a personal dispute. Police said Vanvi was in a relationship with a woman and tensions escalated after he allegedly discovered her communication with the prime accused, Hamir, on Instagram. The dispute had led to prior complaints from both sides. Police sources said Hamir had earlier filed an application alleging that Vanvi, the woman and others were trying to blackmail him with threats of filing false cases for molestation and rape. Both the deceased and prime accused have criminal records. Vanvi was earlier booked in cases related to prohibition, assault and rioting, while Hamir has a previous case under the Arms Act. Police said efforts are underway to apprehend the absconding accused and maintain law and order in the area. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Hyderabad: Activists condemn Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026
They also pointed out the “alarming” criminal provision in the bill under Section 18 that allows imprisonment of up to five years for “alluring” or “forcing” someone to become transgender. Hyderabad: Transgender, intersex, gender nonconforming, queer individuals, collectives, and allies in Hyderabad formally opposed and condemned the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, that was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 13 by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar. The Hyderabad community of activists called on lawmakers to withdraw the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 immediately and “without condition”. “Any future amendment must retain the definition of “transgender person” as established in the 2019 Act, uphold the right to self-identification as affirmed by NALSA (2014) vs Union of India, and K. S. Puttaswamy (Retd) and Anr. vs Union of India (2017) judgements, and be developed only through meaningful, democratic consultation with transgender communities across India,” they said. At a press confere in Hyderabad on Tuesday, MArch 17, the community said that the bill threatens to undo over a decade of hard-won legal protections. Stating that it is a step backwards for constitutional rights, transgender, intersex, gender nonconforming, and queer communities in Hyderabad unequivocally stated that it erases entire identities, mandates invasive medical procedures, criminalises community support networks, and creates a two-tier citizenship where legal existence depends on access to surgery. “It is not a reform. It is a reversal of the Supreme Court’s NALSA judgment, of the 2019 Act, and of decades of hard-won constitutional protections. The amendment proposes to replace self-identification with mandatory medical certification by a government-appointed District Medical Officer, with no defined criteria, no transparency, and no accountability. Medically, there is no biological marker that confirms or denies transgender identity,” said a statement from the activists. Community members and activists said that the current bill also introduces a provision under which a person undergoing gender-affirming surgery has to report it to the District Magistrate, which violates the constitutionally provided fundamental right of privacy. “Forcing individuals through physical examinations to “prove” their gender is not only scientifically baseless but also deeply traumatic and unconstitutional,” added the statement. They pointed out that the bill is “particularly” alarming because it erases entirely the identities of people, and restricts the definition of “transgender person” to a narrow set of socio-cultural identities and intersex variations. Activists added that the bill excludes trans men, trans women who are not part of socio-cultural communities, non-binary individuals, genderqueer people, and gender-diverse persons across India. At the press briefing, activists also said that trans men will be “rendered entirely invisible as they will have no socio-cultural framework recognised by the bill. “They face deep marginalisation already because they are assigned female at birth and carry the burden of presenting as a woman compulsorily and cannot safely come out in many contexts. This bill worsens each of those realities,” added their statement. The bill gives offers legal recognition only via medical intervention, which forces individuals toward surgeries they may not want, cannot access, or are medically unable to undergo, said the activists. ‘Criminalisation Is Not Protection’ The activists from Hyderabad also pointed out an alarming criminal provision in the Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026, under Section 18 that allows imprisonment of up to five years for “alluring” or “forcing” someone to become transgender. “There is no credible evidence that such conduct exists as a social pattern. What does exist and what this provision threatens is the vast community support network that transgender persons rely on: fundraisers, temporary housing, help escaping abusive households, access to therapy, and gender-affirming healthcare,” they stated. The statement said that providers of gender-affirming care, supportive parents, and community members who have historically protected and nurtured transgender individuals now face the risk of criminalisation. “This echoes the legacy of colonial-era laws such as the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 and the Telangana Eunuchs Act of 1919 which are laws that treated gender-diverse communities as inherently devious and criminal,” it added. Yunus Lasania Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit woman demands action against Jangaon Collector, others under SC/ST Act
A Dalit woman in Jangaon has sought action under the SC/ST Act against the district Collector and officials, alleging harassment, casteist remarks and attempts to remove her tea stall, leading to financial loss and distress. Jangaon: A Dalit woman has lodged a complaint with the Jangaon police seeking registration of a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against district Collector Sandeep Kumar Jha. In the complaint submitted to Jangaon Inspector of Police Satyanarayana Reddy, she also sought registration of a case against DRDO N Vasantha, Municipal Commissioner Maheshwar Reddy, Jangaon town revenue inspector Venkateshwarlu and staff under the Act. The woman, Palamakula Chinna Manjula of Erragollapahad village of Jangaon mandal, in her complaint on March 16, stated that a Vanitha tea stall was sanctioned to her under the Indira Mahila Shakti Scheme by allotting a site at a corner outside the district collectorate. The previous district Collector, Rizwan Basha Shaik, had provided a kiosk, power and water connection and inaugurated the tea stall on March 6, 2025, along with DRDO and district officials. However, Municipal Commissioner Maheshwar Reddy, tahsildar Mosim, RI Venkateshwarlu and staff tried to remove the tea stall with an earthmover and crane on March 11, stating that it was on the orders of the Collector, Sandeep Kumar Jha. When she pleaded with them not to damage the tea stall, they went back. The next day, they returned to remove the stall while making casteist remarks, saying that she had no right to run the stall there and would face serious consequences if the place was not vacated. On the other hand, the electricity department disconnected the tea stall’s power connection. As a result, she incurred a loss of Rs 10,000 as milk and other items in the fridge were damaged, Manjula lamented. The woman said that she had taken private loans worth Rs 3 lakh to develop the tea stall while repaying instalments of a Rs 3 lakh loan provided to her under the scheme. She sought legal action against the above officials for causing her financial loss and mental trauma. The police were yet to act on her complaint. It may be recalled that Sandeep Kumar Jha, when he was Sircilla Collector in February this year, faced severe criticism as he reportedly ordered the closure of a tea stall in Sircilla town because its owner Bathula Srinivas displayed a photo of BRS working president KT Rama Rao. Courtesy : Telangana Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/telanganatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
2016 Una flogging case: Five convicts sentenced to five years in prison
A special court on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) sentenced five convicts in the 2016 Una flogging case in which four Dalit men were thrashed when they were trying to skin the carcass of a cow to imprisonment of five years and imposed a fine of ₹ 5,000 on each of them. A day earlier, the special court in Veraval convicted five persons and acquitted 35 others in the flogging case, while the case against a policeman was abated due to his death. The trial against a juvenile is pending. Una Dalit victims to convert to Buddhism The incident, which occurred in Mota Samadhiyala village, had triggered massive protests across the country after videos of the attack went viral. On Tuesday, the court of special SC/ST atrocities cases judge JJ Pandya sentenced the five accused to a five-year jail term under the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Gujarat has history of atrocities and discrimination against Dalits Apart from a maximum jail term of five years, the court also sentenced them to three-year imprisonment under sections 323 and 324 of the Indian Penal Code, one-year imprisonment under section 342, and a jail term of two years under section 504. All the sentences will run concurrently. Defence lawyer Vijay Kumar said that four out of these five convicts have already served more than six years in jail, while another one has been in jail for the last four years and two months, and will be required to undergo the remaining jail term. The convicts are identified as Ramesh Jadhav, Rakesh Joshi, Nagji Vaniya, Pramodgiri Goswami, and Balwatgiri Goswami. while the trial against a juvenile is pending. The court had examined 260 witnesses during the course of the trial. The incident occurred at Mota Samadhiyala village near Una town of Gir-Somnath district on July 11, 2016, when four Dalit youths, as part of their traditional profession, were skinning the carcass of a cow that had died earlier in some other village. The accused, self-proclaimed cow vigilantes, flogged the youths, who were then illegally put in the lockup and thrashed by police personnel as well. It was alleged that the four Dalits were thrashed for almost 4-5 hours. Police allegedly connived with the perpetrators and forged some FIR-related documents to help them. Villagers from nearby areas had attempted to rescue the Dalit youths, but were threatened by the accused. The villagers then called the police control rooms in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights