Charges Filed Under SC/ST Act Against Village Head for Assaulting Independence Day Celebrators

A police sub-inspector, a village head, and two others face charges under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. They allegedly assaulted participants in an Independence Day procession in a local village, officials reported on Friday. The incident occurred during a celebration organised by the Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Committee in Semra village.

The procession, which involved carrying the national flag, was disrupted by village head Ashok Kumar and his associates, Prem Shankar and Mahendra. They reportedly attacked the participants, destroyed the celebration venue, and dragged some individuals to the police station. Sub-Inspector Pramod Kumar Yadav was present during these events.

Legal Proceedings and Arrests

On August 16, Sunil Kumar, Gautam, Ramesh, Ram Raj, and Sitam were arrested for allegedly causing a disturbance. These individuals are members of the Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Committee. They were later released on bail but sought medical examinations and legal action due to their treatment.

After no response from police authorities, they approached the special court on August 28. The court ordered a case registration against Yadav, Ashok Kumar, Prem Shankar, and Mahendra under relevant sections of the BNS and SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.

Investigation Underway

The investigation into these allegations is currently being conducted by a circle officer. Sachchidanand Pandey, SHO of Durgaganj police station, confirmed that the case was initiated following an order from Special Judge SC/ST Asad Ahmad Hashmi on October 17.

The accused allegedly used casteist slurs while assaulting the procession participants. This incident highlights ongoing issues related to caste-based violence and discrimination in rural areas.

Efforts to address these concerns are crucial for ensuring justice and equality for all community members. The legal proceedings will continue as authorities seek to resolve this matter fairly.