A tragic incident unfolded in Rajasthan’s Alwar, where Akhilesh Sharma, a temple pujari, reportedly committed suicide on 4 June. His family claims that the Pujari took this drastic step after a suspended policeman, Dhaniram Khatik, filed a false case against him under the SC-ST Act and then blackmailed him for money.
Akhilesh’s mother, deeply distressed by the lack of justice for her son, also attempted to commit suicide. She expressed her grief and frustration, stating that no arrests had been made even eight days after her son’s death. The family reported that the police neither recorded her statement nor provided a copy of the FIR. They also mentioned a lack of support from the local Hindu community and political leaders.
The incident occurred on the night of 4 June when 40-year-old Sharma, who served as the priest of a Shiv Hanuman Mandir in Alwar’s Kotwali police station area, hanged himself. The police conducted a post-mortem and returned his body to the family.
Omprakash Vashishtha, a family member, explained that the victim argued with the suspended policeman, Dhaniram Khatik, over temple donations about a month ago. Following the argument, Dhaniram filed a case against Akhilesh under the SC-ST Act.
According to the family, Dhaniram, previously suspended due to corruption charges, demanded Rs 1 lakh from Akhilesh to withdraw the case. Overwhelmed by the blackmail and unable to share his troubles, Akhilesh fell into depression and eventually committed suicide.
This case yet again highlights the misuse of the SC-ST Act. Several innocent lives have been lost to the rampant misuse of the Act to either exact revenge or extort money. Akhilesh’s case reminds one of Rakshit, a young CA from Jaipur, who was forced to take his life due to misuse of the Atrocity Act.
Similarly, in March 2021, after having been in jail for no fault of his, Vishnu Tiwari, who had been booked under the SC-ST Atrocity Act along with false rape charges levelled against him, was released by order of the high court, which made some scathing observations in the case and declared all charges to be fake.
Unless stringent action is taken against those misusing the law, innocent people like Akhilesh will keep losing their lives for no fault of theirs. It is high time lawmakers view the issue seriously and take appropriate steps to address it.
(Featured Image Source: OpIndia)
