After suicide by dalit boy, HP bodies call for mapping of ‘atrocity-prone areas’
Kullu: A number of civil society organisations have come forward calling for the declaration of “atrocity-prone areas” in Himachal Pradesh and have demanded strict police action in the case of suicide by a 12-year-old dalit boy after he was locked up in a cowshed by an ‘upper caste’ family in Shimla’s Rohru region. The People’s Campaign for Socio-Economic Equality in the Himalayas (PCSEEH), an organisation that works for an equal and discrimination-free society in the mountains, has written to chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, demanding strict action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (prevention of atrocities) Act against all those responsible for pushing the “dalit boy to commit suicide” and adequate compensation to the victim’s family. The PCSEEH has also demanded the state govt should identify all the regions of the state where caste-based atrocities are higher and declare them as “atrocity-prone areas” under Rule 3 of the SCST (prevention of atrocities) Rules, 1995. In the letter, PCSEEH national convener Sukhdev Vishvapremi has also stated that the state govt needs to initiate a campaign to create “socially just and safe panchayats” in Himachal Pradesh. A Scheduled Caste boy died after consuming a poisonous substance in Limbda village of Rohru sub-division in Shimla district on Sept 16. According to the police complaint, filed by the father of the victim, the boy committed suicide after he inadvertently entered the house of an ‘upper-caste family’ and a woman of the house locked him up in a cowshed and assaulted and humiliated him. A case has been registered by the Chirgaon police. “It’s not a suicide but a murder. This case is yet another reminder of the fact that how deeply entrenched the caste-based discrimination in Himachal is and how crimes stemming from caste-based mindsets continue to occur frequently in the state. It’s so tragic that such acts still take place even in the 21st century,” PCSEEH national convener Sukhdev Vishvapremi told TOI on Sunday. “We sincerely hope that strict action will be taken against those responsible for the deliberate killing of the boy. There is also an urgent need for the state govt to launch a campaign in coordination with the civil society organisations to make Himachal Pradesh a socially just and safe state,” added Vishvapremi. According to Kuldeep Verma, who runs People’s Action for People in Need (PAPN), an NGO that works against caste-based discrimination in the Sirmaur district of the state, atrocities against dalits are on the rise in Himachal Pradesh due to ineffective implementation of the law. “There are various rules against caste-based discriminations and atrocities but the law is not strictly and effectively implemented by the police, which in most cases tend to side with the accused. And when there is no fear of the law, atrocities in the name of the caste are bound to be committed,” said Verma. “The state govt is empowered by the SC/ST Act to identify and declare regions having a high rate of crimes against the Scheduled Castes as ‘atrocity-prone areas.’ The state govt must take an initiative and declare the Chirgaon area in Rohru as an atrocity-prone area. Such a move will send a strong message against caste atrocities,” added Verma. Led by former MLA Rakesh Singha, members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also staged a state-wide protest against dalit discrimination and atrocities in the state last Monday on Oct 6 in the wake of the Rohru incident. Two days later, on Oct 8, a large number of people from the general caste communities took out a march in Rohru and demanded an impartial investigation into the boy’s suicide. The angry crowd also raised slogans against Singha for his comments on the issue. “The protest by the CPM was on humanitarian and constitutional grounds. But the counter-protest by members of the general caste communities shows how polarised the society even in Himachal has become. This divide has further deepened in the last around ten years and is benefitting the politicians only,” said Lal Chand Dhissa, a Kullu-based veteran activist and former IAS officer. “The rot in our society runs deeper than you realise,” added Dhissa. Himachal Pradesh has the second highest population of Dalits in the country after Punjab and the caste-based untouchability and discrimination is widely rampant in the state. Among the 12 districts, Sirmaur has the highest percentage of dalits in the state, followed by Mandi, Solan, Kullu, and Shimla. Box: SCs / STs / OBCs in Himachal Pradesh Category Population Percentage (%) SCs 1,729,252 25.19 STs 392,126 5.7 OBCs 927,452 13.51 Total Population 6,864,602 Source: Census 2011 Box: District Total Population SC Population Percentage (%) Sirmaur 529,855 160,745 30.34 Mandi 999,777 293,739 29.38 Solan 580,320 164,536 28.35 Kullu 437,903 122,659 28.01 Shimla 814,010 215,777 26.51 Source: Census 2011 Box: Top Indian States with Highest SC Population State Population SC Population Percentage (%) Punjab 27,743,338 8,860,179 31.94 Himachal Pradesh 6,864,602 1,729,252 25.19 West Bengal 91,276,115 21,463,270 23.51 Uttar Pradesh 199,812,341 41,357,608 20.70 Haryana 25,351,462 5,113,615 20.17 Source: Census 2011 MSID:: 124500182 413 | 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
Unchahar murder case of Dalit youth: Policeman suspended, but public anger over lack of action against Home Guard
After police negligence was exposed in the case of the murder of a youth in the Unchahar area of Rae Bareli district, Superintendent of Police Dr. Yashveer Singh took action, but it was incomplete. The in-charge of the Dial 112 team, which arrived at the scene and released the accused after questioning, was suspended, but no action was taken against the Home Guard. The incident occurred when the Dial 112 team, number 1770, arrived at a dhaba. Hariom Valmiki, the accused of murder, was present there. Police interrogated him and later released him. Villagers made a video of the incident and made it viral on social media. In-charge suspended, but Home Guard ‘favored’ After the video surfaced, the Superintendent of Police conducted an investigation and suspended the in-charge of Dial 112. However, no action was taken against the Home Guard present on the team. This is what has angered the villagers. He says, “When the in-charge was found guilty, why wasn’t action taken against the Home Guard? Is he being favored by the police?” Action will be taken if the investigation finds him guilty: Commandant When the Home Guard Commandant was contacted regarding this matter, he stated that the case is being investigated. If the investigation finds the Home Guard guilty, strict action will be taken against him. Ashish Kumar Srivastava Courtesy: Hindi News
Section 163 imposed in Gwalior after Ambedkar statue row:Ban on organising any event on Oct 15; notices served to 50, 260 social media posts removed
Tensions are rising in Gwalior after lawyer Anil Mishra made controversial remarks about Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, following disputes over his statue at the MP High Court’s Gwalior bench. Dalit groups have threatened strong protests on October 15, while upper-caste organisations have also announced plans to gather on the same day. Gwalior police are monitoring social media, conducting mock drills, removing 260 inflammatory posts, issuing notices to over 50 people, and registering two FIRs against Mishra one in Gwalior and another in Maharashtra. What the dispute is Dispute over installing Dr. Ambedkar’s statue at MP High Court: Azad Samaj, Bhim Army, OBC Mahasabha, and some lawyers support it; another group of lawyers opposes it. Lawyer Anil Mishra allegedly called Dr. Ambedkar a “slave-agent of the British” and a liar in a social media video, leading to FIRs. Section 163 imposed The district administration has imposed Section 163, banning protests, processions, and public ceremonies without permission. The Collector and SP held meetings with traders and local leaders, appealing for peace. It was agreed that no programs will be held on October 15, while police have warned they will act strictly to maintain law and order. No events allowed on October 15; strict action in place Section 163 is in force; no programs or protests allowed without permission. Collector Ruchika Chauhan and SSP Dharmveer Singh confirmed no events are planned on October 15. Officials urged citizens to celebrate festivals and conduct business peacefully. Cyber team is monitoring social media for inflammatory posts. Committee members instructed to warn those posting provocative content to avoid legal action. Police directed to take strict action if any unauthorized events occur; villages will also be monitored. Public representatives contacted to maintain law and order. Police meetings held at station level; locals assured cooperation to preserve peace and harmony. Mock drill conducted to handle riots and disturbances Police conducted a riot-control mock drill on Saturday at Bahodapur Police Lines. Two separate teams took part, including forces from city police stations and police lines. ASPs Vidita Dagar, Suman Gurjar, and Jairaj Kuber led the exercise along with all CSP teams. During the drill, the mock protest group pelted stones at the police. Police responded using tear gas to disperse the crowd. Constable Santosh Singh was injured after a tear gas shell fragment hit his forehead. He was taken to hospital and received two stitches. Practice wearing riot gear, always keep kit in vehicle During the riot parade, SSP Dharmveer Singh instructed all officers and personnel to keep riot kits in their vehicles and regularly practice cleaning and wearing them. He said that under no circumstances should there be a situation where one has to rush to the police line or station for riot gear. In May, lawyers snatched pipes from female police officers during the HC statue dispute In May, lawyers snatched pipes from female police officers during the HC statue dispute Dispute over Dr. Ambedkar statue at High Court Tension over statue installation began in May 2025. Senior and junior advocates of Gwalior High Court Bar argued over the issue. On May 17, 2025, a clash occurred outside the High Court. Former Bhim Army member Rupesh Ken, supporting junior advocates, was beaten by lawyers. Several protests and clashes followed over the statue. Installation of the statue was halted due to rising tension. The statue was moved to sculptor Prabhat Rai’s workshop, 15 km from the city. Two police personnel have been deployed to guard the statue. On May 11, the Bar Association hoisted the tricolor at the proposed statue site. Pushing and shoving occurred when police tried to stop the flag hoisting. Bar Association President Pawan Pathak said the flag was hoisted in memory of ‘Operation Sindoor’. Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bijapur leads in sexual minority survey; Bengaluru shows least progress due to stigma, say officials
BENGALURU: Karnataka’s ongoing sexual minority survey, the first ever in India, has managed to reach only about 6,000 transgender persons so far, against an estimated 43,000 across the state, officials from the Women and Child Development Department said. While districts like Bijapur and Bagalkote have shown encouraging participation, Bengaluru Urban has recorded the least progress. “This is the first state-wide enumeration of transgenders in India,” said Mahesh Babu N, Director, Women and Child Development Department. “As per EPIC card data, there are around 43,000 transgender persons, but in 15 days, only 6,000 have been identified. Bengaluru is volatile — enumerators are often shouted at or told to go to hamams and homes to collect data,” he said. The department attributes the low turnout in urban areas to social stigma and lack of trust. “Some trans men fear that revealing their identity could disturb their family lives, as many are married and have children,” sources explained. Hospitals have emerged as safer enumeration points since people visit them routinely for treatment. Mahesh Babu said the survey will guide future welfare and skilling schemes. “This information will help channel CSR for group housing and employment programmes. The government is spending about ₹1 lakh a day on remuneration for enumerators — nearly ₹1 crore overall. The socio-economically disadvantaged members stand to gain through better policy design if they make their presence known,” he said. However, many in the community remain wary. Jaanu, a ventriloquist, said, “People don’t want to come out for fear of stigma from neighbors. My friend refused to register because she has a family. I told her it’s confidential and could help with pension or housing.” Nakshatra, a Bengaluru-based member, said, “People fear data misuse. In the past, trans women have been blackmailed by predators posing as NGOs.” Officials said participation was higher in Bijapur due to earlier pilot projects and stronger community engagement. 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
Rajya Sabha polls: Congress refuses ‘unsafe’ seat in J&K; puts ball in ally NC’s court
NEW DELHI: The Congress will not contest the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections to four seats in Jammu and Kashmir from the “unsafe” fourth seat, the party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit announced on Sunday. J&K Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra said the party’s central leadership had sought one of the two Rajya Sabha seats that will go to polls separately. However, ally National Conference (NC) offered Congress one of the other two seats, for which polls will be held under a common notification. “All the participants were of the opinion that seat four is not safe (un)like seat one or two. It was unanimously decided that we will not put up our candidate for seat number four. We will leave it to our alliance partners to see what they think about that,” Karra told reporters after a party meeting in Srinagar, according to PTI. “Since the safe seat was not offered to us, we don’t want to contest on seat four,” he added. Karra further said the Congress would open its “channels” with the NC to resolve the impasse. “The inputs from our members will be sent to our central leadership for guidance,” the J&K Congress chief stated. The NC has already named its three candidates for the Rajya Sabha polls, indicating it will use its strength in the assembly to ensure all three emerge victorious. While all three NC nominees are assured of victory even without the support of allies, the fourth candidate of the ruling alliance would need every anti-BJP vote to ensure a clean sweep. The three MLAs of the PDP and one each from the People’s Conference, Awami Ittehad Party, and AAP would have to vote for the ruling alliance’s candidate to secure the fourth seat. Last year, the Congress decided not to be part of the Jammu and Kashmir government despite the NC-Congress alliance winning the September 2024 assembly polls — the region’s first since it became a Union territory in 2019. The upcoming Rajya Sabha polls will be held on October 24. 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
Bihar elections: All eyes on seat-sharing deal; internal tussle delaying INDIA bloc’s announcement?
NEW DELHI: With the Bihar Assembly elections fast approaching, seat-sharing negotiations within both the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan have intensified, but while the NDA seems close to sealing its deal, uncertainties continue to plague the INDIA bloc in the state. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left, partners in the INDIA bloc, have yet to finalise seat allocation, even as the nomination process for the first phase of polling ends on October 17. On Sunday, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with son and heir-apparent Tejashwi Yadav, left for Delhi, triggering speculation of high-level talks with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to resolve the deadlock. The RJD recently “authorised” Prasad to decide seat distribution and candidate selection. The party holds the dominant position in the alliance, which was known as the Mahagathbandhan before the formation of the nationwide INDIA bloc. When the father-son duo, accompanied by Rabri Devi, left their residence in Patna, disappointed aspirants gathered outside, hoping for a final word on ticket distribution. At the airport, Tejashwi Yadav maintained that “all is well,” though reports suggest otherwise. Congress’s assertiveness, boosted by its recent Voter Adhikar Yatra, has annoyed the RJD, as the party now seeks to contest 70 seats like it did in 2020, despite winning only 19. A close aide of Lalu Prasad, speaking on condition of anonymity, downplayed the political tension, saying, “Lalu ji and Tejashwi ji have left for Delhi because tomorrow is the date of hearing in the land-for-jobs scam. Of course, while in the national capital, meetings with senior leaders cannot be ruled out.” He added, “Our mind is made up. We will keep for ourselves not less than half of the 243 seats. Compared with 2020, when we contested more than 140 seats, that is still somewhat of a sacrifice to accommodate new allies. It is not just for the Congress, but for all smaller parties to realise that there is a need to keep vaulting ambitions in check. Only then can a credible challenge be posed to the ruling NDA.” Congress leader Pawan Khera, however, dismissed reports of friction within the Mahagathbandhan over seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, asserting that the BJP’s hopes of a rift are being “dashed.” His remarks came in response to the BJP’s claims that internal disagreements were delaying the INDIA bloc’s seat-sharing announcement in Bihar. Speaking to reporters in Ranchi, Khera said, “There is no complication or snag. Discussions will happen first, and only then will the seat announcement be made. So, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s hope that there is some complication is getting dashed. Everyone has the right to express their views, and all parties do so. There is no complication on our side.” Meanwhile, the NDA has almost completed its seat-sharing exercise. Janata Dal (United) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan said on Sunday there was “a huge turmoil within the Mahagathbandhan over the Chief Minister’s post,” adding confidently that “the alliance knows that the NDA will form a government in Bihar.” He dismissed Tejashwi Yadav’s claim that the JD(U) might merge with the BJP after the elections, saying, “Now he has started making prophecies. He will have plenty of time after the elections. We believe that after the elections, there are very good politicians who need to make alternative arrangements, so they have found a solution.” Ranjan asserted that the JD(U) under Nitish Kumar remains strong and united. “The JD(U) is known for its values. Just as Nitish Kumar ran the coalition government in Bihar effectively for 20 years, the party grew and flourished. Today, the party’s base has become the largest in the state. Our workers are the most dedicated, and the people’s support remains firmly with Nitish Kumar,” he said, calling Tejashwi’s remarks a “reflection of mental bankruptcy.” Within the NDA, the JD(U) is likely to contest 103 of the 243 seats, while the BJP is expected to field candidates in 102. Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has demanded more than the 20-22 seats earlier offered, while allies like Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha are negotiating respectable numbers, reported news agency PTI. “Everything is fine in the NDA… seat-sharing arrangements and list of candidates will be decided by the party’s central leadership in a day or two,” a BJP leader said. On the opposition front, Congress leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh admitted that “the seat allocation is almost done, but at the last moment, some difficulties arise in all parties, these are there in the NDA as well and here too. Everything will be announced in 1-2 days.” 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
Op Bluestar a ‘mistake’: Chidambaram; BJP says he’s right
Jalandhar: Former Union finance and home minister P Chidambaram has become the first central leader of his stature within the Congress to brand Operation Bluestar a “mistake” and a “wrong way” to retrieve the Golden Temple in 1984. The statement, delivered at a literary festival in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, on Saturday, comes after decades of ambiguous silence from the central Congress leadership regarding the controversial military action at Darbar Sahib, which led to the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the subsequent anti-Sikh riots in Nov 1984. Speaking during a discussion, Chidambaram said, “No disrespect to any military officers here, but that (Bluestar) was the wrong way to retrieve the Golden Temple…There was a way to retrieve and capture all the militants, but the Bluestar was the wrong way.” “I agree that Mrs. Gandhi paid with her life for that mistake. But that mistake was a cumulative decision of the army, the police, the intelligence, and the civil service. You cannot blame it only on Mrs Gandhi,” he said. Chidambaram’s comments provided the rival BJP with fresh ammunition to attack the party over the 1984 events. In a post on X on Sunday, BJP national spokesperson R P Singh wrote, “As a nationalist, I strongly believe that Operation Blue Star was completely avoidable, as rightly mentioned by former home minister P Chidambaram.” “A more strategic approach like Operation Black Thunder, where electricity and water supply to the Golden Temple were cut off and militants were compelled to surrender, could have achieved the objective without desecrating the sanctity of Sri Harmandir Sahib and the Akal Takht, and without the tragic loss of innocent devotees’ lives,” he added. A couple of Punjab Congress leaders had earlier criticised the operation. Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi was one of them. Last year, the Congress MP had termed the Army action an “attack” and “wrong,” claiming the Congress had apologised for it. He made the statement on Sept 13 last year during a joint press conference at the Congress headquarters with Punjab’s Congress legislature party leader Partap Singh Bajwa to support Rahul Gandhi’s comment on Sikhs in the US, which had led to a huge controversy. However, the Congress neither endorsed nor contradicted Channi’s claims, and the party has never officially apologised for the June 1984 Army action. The only other high-profile party figure to maintain a consistent critical position has been former Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh, who resigned from both the Congress and his Lok Sabha seat in protest against the action, a stance he held even after his return to the party fold. Until Chidambaram’s remarks, however, no other central leader had publicly dared to adopt such a position. ‘Attack on Akal Takht’: Modi said in 2023 Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a departure from the past and from the Govt of India’s position on Operation Bluestar, referred to it as “an attack on Akal Takht” during his reply to the no-confidence motion in Parliament in Aug 2023. “Akal Takht was attacked, and it is still in our memory. They became habituated from Mizoram, and due to this, they went on to attack Akal Takht. This happens in our own country, and here they are sermonising us,” the PM had said. He was addressing the Congress and the actions by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s govt, including the use of air raids by the Indian Air Force on “helpless citizens in Mizoram” in 1966. MSID:: 124502138 413 | 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
Dalit IPS officer shoots himself after writing, “There is no option now…”! IAS Sonal Goyal’s emotional post raises serious questions about the system.
Senior Dalit IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar’s suicide note contains serious allegations of “caste oppression.” Sonal Goyal, a 2008-batch IAS officer, asks, “How many more lives will our system lose?” New Delhi: The suicide of Y. Puran Kumar, a senior Dalit IPS officer of the Haryana cadre, has shocked the administrative and police departments. Four days after the tragic incident, Sonal Goyal, a 2008-batch IAS officer, wrote a poignant and poignant post on the social media platform “X,” highlighting the pain and pressure that often remains buried within the system. Her post has sparked a serious debate on the mental health of officers, institutional work culture, and alleged caste discrimination. What is the whole matter? On October 7, senior IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar took his own life by shooting himself with his service revolver at his official residence in Sector 11, Chandigarh. A suicide note found behind him leveled serious allegations against the entire system. According to a Dainik Jagran report, Kumar wrote in his note, “There is no option now, I have been… for the last five years.” He reportedly mentioned severe caste-based harassment and mental torture by senior officers, which forced him to take this drastic step. IAS Sonal Goyal’s post awakens conscience On Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 5:30 pm, IAS officer Sonal Goyal expressed her pain and outrage over the incident, a post that quickly went viral. She began her statement with a couplet by renowned poet Jaun Elia: “No one comes to this world to stay forever, no one goes the way you went.” Goyal wrote, “You shouldn’t have gone this way, sir. Not only you, but no one should have to go this way.” Describing Kumar as a “capable, talented, and committed senior IPS officer,” she questioned that the passing away of someone who had dedicated the most important years of his life to serving the nation poses a grave question for both our society and the system. She emphasized that this is not a time for mere formal sympathy, but for genuine introspection. A sharp attack on the ‘system’ In her post, Sonal Goyal directly pointed out the flaws in the system. She asked: “What kind of environment have we created within our institutions? What kind of system is this where a crucial part of that system… is so ignored and unheard that it breaks down from within and, in defeat, is forced to take such extreme steps.” She further wrote in English, “Frankly, no one should ever be pushed to that edge—to feel unseen, unheard, or broken inside a system they once believed in.” (Simply put, no one should ever be pushed to the point where they feel ignored, unheard, or broken within the system they once believed in.) Appealing to the Human Side of Officers Goyal reminded that a person serving the country as an officer is, after all, a living human being. He prayed to God for the peace of the departed soul and strength to the family. He also appealed to the officers’ fraternity to collectively show the courage to bring about the desperately needed changes in the system, so that no other colleague has to leave the world in this manner in the future. He concluded his post with a very relevant and cautionary couplet by poet Nawaz Deobandi, which highlights the dangers of silence: “O you who watch the burning house, the thatched roof is yours; there is a strong wind behind you; your destiny is ahead. I was silent on his murder; now my turn has come. You too are silent on my murder; your turn is next.” The tragic death of Puran Kumar and the response of a senior officer like Sonal Goyal has sparked an uncomfortable but necessary dialogue. This incident demands a serious investigation into whether the environment within India’s prestigious civil services has truly become so toxic that an officer is forced to embrace suffocation and ultimately death rather than justice and respect. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Ajay Rai held on way to meet family of lynched Dalit man
Lucknow: A delegation led by state president Ajay Rai was detained on their way to Fatehpur on Saturday to meet the family of Hariom Valmiki, a Dalit man who was allegedly beaten to death last week. While the Congress termed the action an attempt by the Yogi Adityanath govt to “silence voices seeking justice”, govt officials said that Rai and other leaders were stopped to maintain law and order, as section 144 was in force in parts of the district. Rai, accompanied by senior leaders including former minister Nasimuddin Siddiqui, Sitapur MP Rakesh Rathore, and several Congress functionaries, was stopped on the Lucknow-Fatehpur route. Following an argument with the police, he sat on a dharna, demanding to be allowed to proceed. The leaders were later detained and taken to the police lines. Rai said: “We were going there to provide financial assistance to the aggrieved family and express condolences. But the police stopped us midway.” TNN 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
Dalit IPS officer’s death: Haryana transfers Rohtak SP, family refuses autopsy
The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has taken suo motu congnisance and sought a report from Chandigarh DGP Sagar Preet Hooda. CHANDIGARH: The family members of Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar has accused the Chandigarh Police of not consulting them before shifting his body to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) for autospy. Amit Rattan, AAP MLA from Bathinda (Rural) and brother-in-law of the deceased officer, said, “The Chandigarh Police have shifted the body without asking us. Injustice is being done with the family.” Four days after Kumar’s death, the Haryana government on Saturday took first action in the case by transferring Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarniya and appointed Surinder Singh Bhoria in his place. Bijarniya, a 2015-batch IPS officer, was among the police officers named in the “final note” recovered from Kumar’s pocket. The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has taken suo motu congnisance and sought a report from Chandigarh DGP Sagar Preet Hooda. Hooda on Saturday visited the residence of Amneet P Kumar, the IAS officer wife of the deseased, and said that the police requested the family to get the post-mortem done as early as possible. “The post-mortem will be conducted only after the family gives its consent,” Hooda said. Asked why the family is yet to give its consent for the autopsy, Hooda said they have some grievances. When questioned why the police have not added the names of the alleged suspects in the FIR, he said, “An SIT headed by an IG-rank officer has been formed. The autopsy will be conducted at the PGIMER, for which a board, comprising a magistrate, forensic experts, and doctors, has been set up.” After the registration of the FIR, Amneet on Friday had sought its amendment to “accurately reflect the names of all the accused.’’ In a letter to Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, Amneet also sought an amendment of the “diluted sections of the SC/ST Act”, which have been added to the FIR. In his eight-page “final note”, Kumar named eight senior IPS officers, including Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur and Bijarniya, for allegedly harassing and maligning him. Harpreet Bajwa Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights