Police Register Case Against Seven for Assault on Dalit Man in Bareilly
Police officials in Meerut confirmed on Monday that they have registered a case against seven men. The case falls under the SC/ST Act. The men are accused of assaulting a 30-year-old Dalit man. The victim hails from the Nawabganj area in Bareilly district.
Viral Video Shows Forcible Tonsuring
A video of the alleged incident later spread widely on social media platforms. The footage shows the victim, identified as Pappu Diwakar, being attacked by a group. The assailants used a razor to forcibly shave his head. They also removed his moustache and eyebrows.
Public anger grew after the video circulated online. This public outrage prompted police action. An FIR was officially filed on Sunday against the seven individuals.
Multiple Charges Filed in the FIR
The FIR includes serious charges. It invokes provisions of the SC/ST Act. It also includes sections from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The specific BNS sections are 115(2) for voluntarily causing hurt, 316(2) for criminal breach of trust, 351(3) for criminal intimidation, and 352 for intentional insult to provoke a breach of peace.
Three of the seven accused are named in the complaint. The others are currently unidentified.
Complaint Alleges Loan Dispute and Casteist Abuse
According to the complaint filed by Diwakar, the conflict began with a financial dispute. He stated that a villager named Chandra Sen borrowed Rs 4.5 lakh from him several months ago. Sen reportedly needed the money to purchase a tractor.
Diwakar claims Sen failed to repay the loan despite repeated requests. About a month ago, Diwakar confronted Sen about the money. He alleges that Sen, along with three other men, responded with casteist slurs. The group then physically assaulted him.
Police Confirm Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
Senior police officer Mukesh Mishra, the SP (Rural), provided an update. He confirmed that an FIR has been lodged. The investigation has been assigned to a senior officer. The officer's task is to verify the authenticity of the viral video. He must also examine all details of the incident thoroughly.
Mishra confirmed the arrest of three named individuals. Those arrested are Chandra Sen and his two sons, Pappu and Godhan.
Alternative Narrative from Police Sources
A different account emerged from a police officer who spoke anonymously. This officer suggested Diwakar practiced occult activities. The officer claimed Diwakar took money from several people. He allegedly promised to fulfill their desires in return for payment.
According to this source, people began demanding their money back. Diwakar then fled the village. The officer stated that upon Diwakar's return, villagers held him. They tonsured his head. Following this act, Diwakar filed the police complaint.
The investigation continues as authorities work to establish the complete sequence of events.
