Dalit youth assaulted during religious festivals in Chhattisgarh, police fail to invoke SC/ST Act
Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh): Two Dalit youth, including a minor, were brutally beaten in Bilaspur district on consecutive nights of October 19 and 20. The incidents occurred during Hindu religious festivities in Mahmand and Bharda villages, both within the Torwa police station's jurisdiction.
The first assault occurred on October 19, as reported by Madhyamam on Monday. 16-year-old Ashutosh Barle, a Massorie Shishu Mandir Bhawan student, had gone to a Kali Mata Puja event in his hometown during his school holiday. He was verbally abused by Pradeep Maharaj using casteist remarks. According to eyewitnesses, Pradeep was joined by Deepeshwar and Rahul, who began beating Ashutosh with fists and rods until he lost consciousness.
A local resident alerted his mother, Sarita. She rushed to the spot and took him home. The assailants reportedly followed them and pelted stones at their house. They forced the family to lock themselves inside for safety. Activist Sanjeet Barman later alleged that the police failed to document the incident accurately when the family approached them.
The following evening, during the Laxmi Utsav celebrations, a similar attack was reported in Bharda village. Amit Yadav questioned twenty-year-old Dalit Lokesh Kumar Jangde about his attendance at the public function. Lokesh, who is a farmer and part-time driver, was verbally abused using caste-based slurs. According to witnesses, Amit and others, identified as Roshan and Shiva Yadav, took him from the pandal and assaulted him.
While the police said a First Information Report (FIR) was filed, residents and activists said that the police did not use parts of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989, allowing the victims an enhanced safety and faster trials.
Activist Barman accused officers at the Torwa police station of mishandling both complaints. He claimed they intimidated the victims’ families and accused the minor of intruding into a “higher-caste festival,” an act he termed as victim-blaming. He further noted that in Ashutosh’s case, provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act were also omitted. “The police must apply the correct legal provisions and ensure justice for both victims,” Barman said.
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Man booked for duping 7 persons of Rs 91 lakh on promise of awarding govt works
Mumbai (PTI): The Mumbai police have registered a case against a man for allegedly duping seven persons of Rs 91 lakhs on the promise of awarding them works of different government departments, an official said on Tuesday.
The accused was identified as Satish Kadam, a resident of Nanded in Marathwada region, an official said.
A complaint was filed by Hanumant Vadje, who alleged that the accused cheated him and six others of around Rs 91 lakh by promising to give them various works of Urban Development and Social Justice Department, he said.
The fraud occurred between 2024 and 2026, with Kadam collecting money in cash and into his accounts, police said, adding he had returned some amount to them partially.
Multiple cheques issued by the accused bounced, prompting the victim to lodge a complaint at the Marine Drive police station. Based on the complaint, a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust was registered against him.
The case is under further investigation, the official said.
