New Delhi, 23 March 2006
The Commission has appreciated the sensitivity and promptness shown by the State Government of Haryana in awarding compensation, repairing/reconstructing of the houses for the victims whose houses were torched by a mob in Balmiki Colony in Gohana, Sonepat in September 2005. The Haryana Government had also initiated a CBI inquiry and departmental proceeding against errant officers in connection with this incident.
The incident was widely reported in the media based on which the Commission had taken suo-motu cognizance. It was reported in the media that a mob belonging to upper castes most of them Jats, burnt several houses of the Dalits situated in Balmiki Colony, near Baroda Chowk in a violent backlash to murder of Gharwal village youth Baljeet Siwach which had taken place a few days ago.
Following the directions of the Commission, an interim report was received from the Under Secretary, Home on behalf of the Chief Secretary to the Government of Haryana which while giving details about the incident also mentioned that the Government has announced a compensation of Rs. 1.00 lakh for each affected family. It stated that houses destroyed in the fire are being rebuilt/repaired by B & R Department, Haryana and that the Government has also entrusted the investigation of three FIRs registered in connection with the incident to the CBI. The then DSP, Gohana, the then SHOs of P.S. City, Gohana and PS, Sector-5, Panchkula have been placed under suspension on account of dereliction of duty. An explanation from the then Deputy Commissioner and the then Superintendent of Police, Sonepat has been called.
On consideration of the matter, the Commission in its proceedings dated 10 November 2005, sought further information from the Chief Secretary, Government of Haryana on
i) Whether the compensation of Rs. one lakh has been paid to the affected families, if so, the details thereof?

ii) Whether investigation of three FIRs has been taken over by the CBI?

iii) Status of re-building/repairing of the destroyed houses by B&R Department, Haryana; and,

iv) Status of disciplinary proceedings initiated against delinquent public servant for dereliction of their duty.

In his reply dated 27 January 2006, the Chief Secretary, Government of Haryana, Chandigarh informed the NHRC that cash compensation to the tune of Rs. 1.00 lakh has been paid to each of the 54 affected families. Investigation in respect of the cases registered in relation to the unfortunate incident has been handed over to CBI on 11 September 2005. He has also informed the NHRC that 54 damaged/burnt houses have been reconstructed by the Government at the cost of Rs. 49 lakhs. Affected families have also been given compensation for the damage to their house-hold articles. Besides, cash assistance of Rs. 5,000/- was also provided to 54 families immediately after the incident and a sum of more than Rs. 2.00 lakhs has been spent for providing free food, medicine, text books, TA/DA etc. to the victims. Regarding the status of disciplinary proceedings, it was submitted that the then DSP, Gohana and the then SHO, Police Station Sadar Gohana, have been placed under suspension and departmental action is being taken against them.
The NHRC observed that from the above report, it transpires that the affected families have not only been paid monetary compensation but the Government has got their damaged houses repaired/reconstructed. CBI investigation into the cases registered in relation to the incident has also started besides the delinquent police officials have been suspended and departmental action against them is being initiated.
With the observation that no action on the part is called for, the NHRC has closed the file. The Commission also stated that it is expected that the State authorities will expeditiously complete the departmental proceedings and take appropriate action against the delinquent officials on the basis of the outcome of departmental enquiry. It hoped that other State Governments also would act promptly and with all sensitivity as regards the violation of human rights wherever required.
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