A family from Hasthpur village in Aligarh’s Iglas region has come under scrutiny after filing 16 cases under the SC/ST Act over the past 15 years. The repeated complaints, led by Vishnu and his parents Chandrawati and Chandrapal, have triggered a formal investigation by a three-member National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) panel in Uttar Pradesh.
Family’s Allegations and Police Response
Vishnu and his family allege continued police inaction and threats to their safety. They claim that repeated attacks and harassment have forced them to seek legal protection through the SC/ST Act. However, officials confirm that five of the 16 cases have been closed with final reports (FR) due to insufficient evidence or false claims.
Compensation Discrepancy Raised
During the inquiry, the Social Welfare Department informed the NCSC panel that the family had received compensation of about Rs 13 lakh. However, Commission records suggested a higher amount of Rs 46 lakh disbursed. This discrepancy has raised further concerns about possible misuse of the Act for financial benefits.
NCSC Team’s Six Hour Investigation
The visiting team, led by DIG Sunmeet Kaur, Deputy Director Dr. R Stalin, and legal advisor Niti Chaudhary, conducted a six hour investigation. The officials engaged with district authorities at the Circuit House, reviewed documents, and visited Hasthpur village to interact with both the complainant family and local residents.
District Magistrate Sanjeev Ranjan stated that the Commission’s team sought complete case details and compensation records. Senior Superintendent of Police Neeraj Jadon added that the Commission’s decision will depend on the findings of the latest investigation.
Read more: Fake SC/ST Act Cases on the Rise: Data, Court Rulings, and Real Life Misuse Across India
Villagers’ Counterclaims
Local villagers, including the village head’s husband Bablu and resident Shrikrishna, have accused the family of repeatedly filing false SC/ST Act cases to claim compensation. They argue that genuine cases are diluted when the Act is misused in such a manner.
A 2017 joint report by then DM Rishikesh Bhaskar Yashod and SSP Rajesh Kumar Pandey had earlier concluded that the family was misusing the Act. However, the Commission dismissed that report at the time and ordered a fresh inquiry.
Next Steps
The NCSC team also inspected the family’s residence, the alleged crime site in the fields, and held a review meeting at the local police station. The final decision is expected after a comprehensive re-investigation and evaluation of testimonies.
The ongoing probe highlights growing concerns about the misuse of the SC/ST Act and the need to balance protection for marginalized communities with safeguards against false complaints.
