'Open Hearing' of complaints of rights violation of SCs in four districts of Western UP


On the 13th December, 2013 the National Human Rights Commission held in New Delhi an 'Open Hearing' of complaints of rights violation of Scheduled Castes in the four districts of Ghaziabad, Meerut, Bulandshahar and Gautam Budh Nagar of the Meerut Division in Western Uttar Pradesh. 33 cases were heard by the Single Member Bench of Shri Satyabrata Pal, Mem-ber, NHRC in the presence of complainants and concerned public authorities, including DMs and SSPs. 10 cases were from District Ghaziabad, 10 from District Meerut, 09 from District Bulandshahar and 04 from District Gautam Budh Nagar. The cases rela-ted to police inaction; biased investigation by police offi-cers; crime against women, including sexual assault; civil disputes; and some other issues of civil nature.
Addressing a press conference after the 'Open Hearing', Shri Pal said that a very disturbing pattern was noticed that the police were reluctant to register complaints from Scheduled Castes on serious offences under the provisions of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The police moved into action only after the complainant either approached the court or the NHRC.
Even in cases where FIRs were registered, there was a crippling delay in taking further action though there are provisions for prosecution of officers under SC/ST Act for their inaction. He said that the cases heard in the 'Open Hearing' would be closed only after receiving the comments of the complainants confirming that they were satisfied with the action taken by the authorities.
Some cases of civil disputes were sub judice and were beyond the jurisdiction of the Commission. However, in some cases of alleged land-grabbing by the land mafia, especially in District Ghaziabad, the Commission directed the police authorities to provide adequate security to the victims.
In a specific case of the harassment of a woman in District Gautam Budh Nagar by her neighbour on the basis of her caste, the Commission found negligence on the part of the police and issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, UP to show cause why monetary relief should not be granted to her, apart from relief under the SC/ST Act.
The complainants, who attended the Open Hearing, were provided travel expenses and lunch by the NHRC.