A family in UP’s Aligarh have stated that they are being harassed by a man over false cases under the SC/ST Act. The man, named Vishnu, has reportedly filed 12 cases on them after a land dispute. 10 of the cases have been filed since 2010.
Aligarh: Family alleges misuse of SC/ST Act by man named Vishnu, say, ‘He lodged over 12 cases on our family after land dispute in 2010, we are suffering.’ SSP says, ‘Under the cases he has taken compensation of over Rs 2 lakh. We’ve given report to National Comm. for Minorities’ pic.twitter.com/Os8nHIOnN9
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 11, 2018
According to reports, Vishnu and his family have lodged several FIRs within 6 years starting from 2010. They had taken compensation amounting to Rs 2 lakhs. 2 FIRs were filed in 2016. When the police did not take action in two cases, they complained to the National SC/ST commission which directed the District Magistrate and SSP to submit their explanations. Vishnu is a resident of Hastpur village.
The enquiry revealed that both of their FIRs were on false allegations. On the basis of that, a report was sent to the SC/ST commission and a request to recover the compensation was made. One of the FIRs was lodged by Vishnu and the other by his wife. The reports that the DM and SSP sent to the commission stated that Vishnu and his family had lodged 10 other FIRs in between the year 2010 and 1016. The report mentioned that Vishnu and his family were misusing the SC/ST Act to receive compensation.
The District Social Welfare officer Nagendra Pal Singh stated that the officials are waiting for the directions of the National SC/ST Commission to recover the compensation amount paid to Vishnu.
It is notable here that under the SC/ST (PoA) Act, Dalits receive a compensation of Rs 8 lakh for Murder, 5 lakhs for rape and so on. The first instalment is received after the FIR has been lodged and the second instalment after investigations are complete. The third instalment is paid after the court pronounces verdict in the case.
The Supreme Court of India, in its March 2018 order had suggested safeguards in the existing act to prevent its misuse. Following the order, widespread violence by Dalit groups was reported in the country alleging that the SC diluting the act. The central government has petitioned the SC for reviewing the order and the matter is pending.
