In Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, two men belonging to the Dalit community were subjected to a brutal assault by villagers after being accused of harassment by a few Muslim women, according to the local police.
The attackers not only physically thrashed the victims but also humiliated them by smearing their faces with black ink, adorning them with garlands made of shoes, and parading them around the village.
The victims reported in their police complaint that they were also forced to consume dirt during the ordeal. The incident, which occurred on June 30, came to light after a video of the assault went viral.
Following the incident, the police took immediate action and registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused individuals.
Seven people, including two women, were arrested and are currently in judicial custody while further investigation takes place. The police have invoked relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the case.
During the investigation, it was found that the allegations of molestation against the two Dalit men were baseless. The police discovered that the accused individuals had falsely claimed that the men from the Dalit community were harassing some girls in the village and had secretly filmed them.
The accused further alleged that the purported acts of the Dalit men were captured on CCTV cameras. However, the police clarified that the two men had only spoken to some girls in the village over the phone and had not met them in person.
In response to the incident, SP Raghuvansh Singh Bhadauria stated that a case had been filed against seven members of a Muslim family on charges of harassing and tormenting the two Dalit men.
The accused individuals owned properties on forest land, which have now been demolished as a result of the incident.
This incident highlights the importance of addressing the issue of caste-based discrimination and ensuring the safety and protection of marginalized communities.
The arrest of the accused individuals and the legal proceedings against them indicate the commitment of the authorities to bring justice in this case.