MP: Police Books 14 after Dalit Man Killed over Dispute

Shivpuri: On Sunday, Madhya Pradesh police booked 14 forest officials including rangers and a woman constable for killing a 38-year-old Dalit man over a dispute which began while members of his family fetched water from a hand pump.

The deceased has been identified as Madan, a resident of Fatehpur village from Shivpuri district. He was a daily-wage labourer living with his family here, the police said. His father Mohattam is a forest guard in the Madhav National Park where the incident occurred.

This is the second incident of an atrocity on Dalits from Shivpuri, where two children where killed for defecating in the open by upper-caste villagers last year.

FIR under Section 302 and the SC/ST Act

A police complaint lodged by Saroj Mehtar, a member of Madan’s family, claimed that two female members of her family (Mamta and Kajal) went to fetch water from the nearest hand pump. At the same time, a forest ranger, Suresh Sharma, arrived to fetch water in a bottle too.

While they fetched the water, few drops splashed on Sharma and he got angry. Soon, he directed caste-based abuse at the women. The matter escalated and Sharma called on a woman constable who allegedly beat up both the women. As the issue escalated, Sharma called a woman constable who allegedly beat up both the women. Subsequently, Madan and Pankaj, his brother, rushed to save them. In the ensuing melee, Sharma allegedly opened fire and killed Madan, the woman said in her complaint to the police. The incident occurred on Sunday evening.

The death created panic in the village and villagers picketed the police station. Later, the police registered an FIR against forest officials and personnel.

The police are denying any caste-angle to the murder. Shivpuri S.P. Rajesh Chandel claimed that Madan’s father, Mohattam, a guard in the Madhav National Park was on leave for the last five months on medical grounds. As a result, the Department stopped his salary. To settle the matter, Sharma, along with forest personnel came to meet him at his home when the incident occurred, Chandel said.

“A case has been registered against 14 forest officials including a woman constable under Section 302 of the IPC and SC/ST Act in Karera police station on the complaint of the deceased’s family member,” said Chandel, adding that the police has arrested a suspects and are probing every possible angle of the killing during the interrogation.

However, the family, Dalit groups and Dalit leaders allege that Madan was killed for fetching water from the hand pump by the upper-caste ranger.

Targeting the Kamal Nath government over the issue, Dalit Rights Activist and member of the BHIM Army, Sunil Astay, tweeted that a Dalit man had been killed for touching a hand pump in Shivpuri district. Atrocities against Dalits have shot up during the Congress’ rule, he added.