NCPRI Writes to Himachal CM, Seeks Probe Into Dalit RTI Activist’s Murder

New Delhi:  RTI activists and from across the country have sought a thorought probe into the alleged murder of the Dalit RTI activist, Kedar Singh Jindan, in Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh, early this month.

 In a letter to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, the National Campaign for Peoples’ Right to Information (NCPRI), while strongly condemning the attack and the “murder”, has urged the state government to “ensure that all the information sought by Mr. Jindan is put in the public domain and widely publicized, which would act as a deterrent against such attacks in the future.”

Jindan is the 73rd person to be killed for using the RTI Act for exposing corruption in the country, according to some activists.

History of multiple attacks

Jindan, a 41-year-old advocate, RTI activist and Bahujan Samaj Party leader, was allegedly beaten to death before he was crushed under a Scorpio SUV on September 7. He had filed several applications under the RTI Act to expose fraud and irregularities in the identification of families living below the poverty line.

According to NCPRI, Jindan had presented these findings in a conference in Shimla on June 29, 2018. He had also put forth proof that he had obtained from six families related to members of the panchayat that had used fake BPL certificates to secure government jobs. As per media reports, he had registered a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau, said the letter, adding that he had previously been attacked multiple times and had sought police protection which was denied.

Wife levels allegations

At a press conference in Shimla on September 15, Jindan’s wife, Hemlata, too alleged a deep-rooted conspiracy behind his death.  She said based on an RTI respons, he had alleged that Jaiprakash – the prime accused in the case – had illegally obtained BPL certificates to help his well-to-do relatives land government jobs. She also claimed that they had lost their jobs, following the expose, adding thatJindan had also been vocal about the alleged sale of brides in Shillai region, the poor state of government schools etc. 

Police Stance

The police had initially nabbed two persons on the same day, while the third arrest was made a few days later. A Special Investigation Team headed by ASP Nahaan, Virender Thakur, is investigating the matter. An FIR was registered under Section 302 (murder) as well as the section 3(2)(5) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act.

The Superintendent of Police Rohit Malpani and ASP Thakur had said that the documentary and forensic evidence in the matter was strong and that the police were doing a thorough job to ensure justice for Jindan.

Meanwhile, Jindan’s wife has rejected the statement given by the Director General of Police, Sita Ram Mardi, that Jindan had never approached him seeking protection. She carried a copy of the complaint at the press conference, and said it was also submitted to the DGP.

Activists visit Sirmaur

A seven-member team comprising human rights defenders, social workers and activists namely Kuldeep Verma, Birbal (Dalit Vikas Sangathan Sirmaur), Sukhdev Vishwapremi (Centre for Mountain Dalit Rights), Advocate Sanjay Rajkumar (National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights & National Dalit Movement for Justice), Raja Velu (Human Rights Defenders Alert) and Manshi Asher (Kangra Citizens Rights Group) visited Sirmaur on September 13 and 14 to probe the alleged killing of the activist. The team also met the family of the deceased.

As per the team, the observations from various discussions made it obvious that this was not just an incident of a personal vendetta, but a case of caste-based vendetta. Rather, it was a planned targeting of an activist by the dominant community because he was a member of the SC/ST community, it added.

“This remote area of Himachal is known for deep-seated caste discriminatory practices. The fact that the dominant caste groups were defending the murder was a clear sign of the same”, the team said.

So far, only two people have come forward to testify the murder that was committed in broad daylight, which  proves that there is an atmosphere of fear and intimidation in the area, the team observed.

The protests by Rajput Sabha in favour of the accused have further polarised the community making it difficult for people to stand up for the truth.