Madhya Pradesh: Dalit family in shock after death of loved ones, waiting for justice – Ground report

There is silence outside the house of Ahirwar family in Badodia Naunagir village of Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh. This house has been the center of politics for the last few days. After the death of three members of this Dalit family in the last one year, opposition leaders as well as the Chief Minister have come to the village and met the victim’s family.

Raghuveer Ahirwar has been living with his family at the end of the village. Apart from his wife, his family had three sons and a daughter. Last year, the youngest son Nitin was murdered.

After that, recently Raghuveer’s brother Rajendra was called for a compromise in which he was murdered after a fight. While returning with his body, Raghuveer’s daughter Anjana died under suspicious circumstances. Anjana was the third in the family after two brothers. At this time the family is not only in shock but is also worried about their safety. The recent incident is of 25th May when Anjana’s uncle Rajendra was murdered. The family claims that Rajendra was called for a compromise and when he refused, he was beaten up so badly that he died. Rajendra was also a witness in Nitin’s murder last year.

The trial of the murder case was to begin on 20th June. According to the information, he was being pressured not to say anything against the accused in his testimony. After the assault, he was taken to a local hospital but was then referred to Bhopal. He died on the way. His body was post-mortemed and when it was being brought back, Anjana, who was travelling in the hearse, also died after falling from the vehicle. However, the police also say that according to the information received so far, she suddenly fell and died. However, it is also being said that she jumped from the vehicle but there is no one to confirm this. Anjana died due to the injuries sustained while falling. This accident happened about 20 km away from the village.

Family’s allegations

Anjana’s mother Ram Sakhi alleges that her daughter has been murdered.

She said, “Everyone knew that Anjana knew everything. She knew how to speak her mind, so the accused were also afraid of her. That is why she was murdered.” In this case, Anjana’s brother Vishnu said, “This matter has been going on since 2019 when our sister was molested. Those people were constantly pressuring the family to compromise in that matter. But when the matter did not work out, Nitin was murdered on 24 August 2023 last year. When the mother came to know, she ran to the place where he was being beaten, then the mother was beaten and also stripped naked.”

He further told that after that those people came to the house and they vandalized it and beat the horse present in the house, due to which it died after 15 days.

Vishnu, along with working as a laborer in the village, also rents out his horse in weddings. Vishnu alleges that the people who tortured his family are from the village’s domineering Thakur family. Vishnu said that the name of a main accused in this case is not even in the FIR, which should be added.

He also alleged that the accused has the protection of a powerful leader who was a minister during the Shivraj Singh Chauhan government and he is also his relative.

Why are the village’s domineering people targeting this family? On this question, Vishnu said, “Our family has been living its life away from the village. The family does not go to anyone but the village domineering people want us to go to them and bow down before them and live in fear like other people.”

Before Anjana’s death, she had said in a conversation with the local media that the houses of the accused should be demolished and all the accused should be arrested within 24 hours.

Where did the case start?

This whole case started in 2019 when Anjana was molested but the police registered a case of assault. A case was registered against four people in this. In this, three people were from the Thakur family and one youth was Raikwar. All four got anticipatory bail

This case is still going on in the court. This case was registered on 26 January 2019.

The family alleges that after that, pressure was continuously exerted on them. But in this case, on 24 August 2023 last year, Anjana Ahirwar’s younger brother Nitin was murdered near the village bus stand. When the mother went to save him, she is also accused of being stripped and beaten.

At that time, the police had registered a case against nine named accused as well as four other accused and arrested them. In this case, one person has got bail while the rest are still in jail.

At the same time, the family members allege that the accused were constantly pressurizing them not to give any statement against them in any way.

What action has been taken so far, what is the police saying?

In the recent case, the police have registered a case against five people. According to the police, only one arrest has been made so far and the other accused will be arrested soon. The names of those against whom the case has been registered are Faheem Khan, Bablu Bena, Israel Bena, Tantu Qureshi and Aashiq Qureshi.

On the other hand, Sagar’s Superintendent of Police Abhishek Tiwari said, “The police has taken technical evidence in this entire case. Many people have been questioned and investigation is being done keeping everyone in mind so that further action can be taken.”

He said that investigation is also being done in the case of Anjana’s death and it appears that she fell and died due to head injury.

Abhishek Tiwari further said, “All aspects are being investigated. There are many parties in this and continuous investigation is being done so that the accused can be punished. The police is not showing any kind of negligence in this. The family has been given complete security.”

According to the things coming to light in this case, 14 cases were registered against Rajendra of the victim side who has died. There are cases of theft, attempt to murder and rioting.

On the other hand, 7 cases are registered against Anjana’s second brother, including theft and attempt to murder. Apart from this, 7 cases were registered against Nitin who was murdered last year, including theft and rioting.

What does the accused party say?

The name of the person whom the victim party is calling the main accused is Ankit Singh Thakur. He says that he or his family has nothing to do with this case.

He said, “Our family has no criminal record. Despite that, this family is now linking us to every case. In the case of Nitin’s murder last year, 4 accused are from Ankit Singh Thakur’s family, out of which three people are still in jail. A person who was 77 years old was also declared an accused in this case. Whereas he cannot do anything. He got bail from the court with great difficulty.”

Ankit alleged that this family has made the atmosphere of the entire village such that everyone is living in the shadow of fear. He also alleged that the opposition Congress is constantly hyping the issue and spoiling the atmosphere of the village.

Political reactions

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav reached the village on Wednesday and met Anjana Ahirwar’s family. He was accompanied by former minister Bhupendra Singh, who is accused of protecting the accused.

He assured that the accused will be punished as soon as possible and the victims will get full security. He has also ordered to open a police post in the village. However, Vishnu Ahirwar says, “The Chief Minister has not given any kind of assurance. He just said that he will consider it. We want the entire investigation to be done by the CBI so that we get justice.”

Earlier in two days, two Congress leaders had reached the victims’ house. First of all, former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, who also participated in Anjana Ahirwar’s funeral. Digvijay Singh had also gone when Anjana’s brother was murdered.

On Tuesday, Congress state president Jeetu Patwari also met the family. He had demanded that the victim’s family be given a compensation of Rs 50 lakh and the entire case be investigated by the CBI.

The Congress objected to taking Bhupendra Singh along and questioned whether the Chief Minister had gone to support the victim’s family or to scare them by taking Bhupendra Singh along.

During this time, Jeetu Patwari also got the victim’s family to talk to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Azad Samaj Party, Bhim Army president Sunil Astey has said that the administration’s failure is visible in this entire case.

He said that in areas like Bundelkhand, upper caste people still oppress Dalits and if their words are not obeyed, then they are taught a lesson in this way. At the same time, the people of the village believe that even today Dalits cannot go in front of the village’s domineering people wearing shoes or slippers.

Sagar Congress leader and former MP Anand Ahirwar says that in this area, it is also important to be politically capable to get an FIR registered. He alleged, “The police can make anyone an accused or a victim. The more politically powerful you are, the more bullying you can do and this is what is happening here as well.”

A policeman has been posted outside the Ahirwar family’s house and CCTV cameras have started working. CCTV cameras were installed after the murder last year but they had stopped working. At present, the family is seeking justice for their family members.

Courtesy : Hindi news