– Family trying to survive, eating roti with salt

– Husband died in April 2007 after being hit by ADM's car while returning home

– FIR registered against ADM after protest with roadblock on GT Road

– Government officials promised Rs.5 lakh, a government job, and a shop

Prayagraj— Fifteen years ago, in the Mela Ground in the Prayagraj district of UP, Raju Sonkar, a Dalit man who sold idols to run his household, was killed when he was hit by an Additional Mela Officer's car while on his way home. After Raju Sonkar's death, leaders of many parties had come together on one platform. The local people blocked GT Road after laying down on the road the body of the deceased Raju Sonkar, due to which the whole of Prayagraj came to a standstill. After three hours, in the middle of the protest and a massive traffic jam, the SP City [Superindent of Police City] and ADM City [Additional District Magistrate City]arrived and in response to the demands of the family of the victim, gave written assurance of compensation in the form of Rs.5 lakhs, a government job and a shop for free.

However, even after 15 years, this family has not received a single paisa. Raju Sonkar's wife, Renu Sonkar, is forced to carry on going again and again to the government's offices for justice and compensation. It is alleged that in these 15 years, Renu Sonkar, who is a Dalit woman, has met with all the DMs [district magistrates] appointed in the district during this time by going more than one hundred times to the office and pleaded for justice and compensation. But her pleas have gone unheard.

According to Renu, three months ago, the idol shop that was her only means of livelihood was also demolished by the administration. Since then the family is surviving by eating rotis with salt. We attempted to contact the District Magistrate, Prayagraj, several times regarding this matter. But despite strict instructions by the Chief Minister to all the state officials, the District Magistrate himself did not respond to his CUG number. The calls were answered by an employee posted in the office.

The Mooknayak tried to contact the District Magistrate at 10 am, but the call was answered by the District Magistrate's stenographer: "Sahib hears cases from 10 am to 12 pm, so it will only be possible to talk after this time".

We then again contacted the District Magistrate at 12:20 pm. This time too, the stenographer picked up the phone. Through them, we were told that "Sahib was free [for some time] after the Jansunwai, but then he went to a meeting." When the stenographer was asked when he would be free from the meeting, the said, "I'm [just] the officer, I don't know how long will the meeting last, I can't tell you anything."

What is the whole matter about?

Dalit woman Renu Sonkar and her family live in Padiynganj in the Daraganj area of ​​Prayagraj. Renu has three sons, Shubham Sonkar, Rishabh Sonkar and Vishit Sonkar. Ranu Sonkar's husband Raju Sonkar used to run their household by selling idols at the Mela Parade Ground. On April 21, 2007, as Raju Sonkar was returning home for lunch on his scooter, it was badly hit by the official vehicle of the Additional Mela Officer [ADM] Munilal Pandey. The ADM was present in the car at the time of the incident, and Raju Sonkar was badly injured in the collision. He was admitted in a critical condition to the district's Anand Hospital. The doctors at this hospital referred him to SPGI Hospital in Lucknow. But as the ambulance taking him to Lucknow neared Rae Bareli, Raju Sonkar lost the fight for his life and breathed his last.

Outrage startsafter the death of Raju Sonkar

After Raju Sonkar's death on April 21, 2007, after being run over by the car of the ADM Munni Lal Pandey, on April 22, 2007, his family members, the local people, and leaders of several parties started a demonstration by placing his dead body at the GT Jawahar Chowk in Prayagraj. During this time, there was a traffic jam in the city for more than three hours. The entire traffic management in the city came to a complete standstill.

SP City and ADM Citypromptly arrive and give written assurance

On 22 April 2007, after receiving information about the massive demonstration and uproar at GT Jawahar Chowk, the then ADM City R.P. Singh and the then S.P. City H.N. Singh promptly reached the spot. Following official orders from the authorities, a named FIR was registered against ADM Munni Lal Pandey. These two officers requested that the demonstration be stopped. On hearing this, the family demanded Rs.5 lakh as assistance, a government job, and a built shop. Accepting the demands of the victim's relatives, the SP City and ADM City gave written assurance for support by the government in writing, after which the protest ended.

Wife and three young children are at home

When Raju Sonkar died on April 21, 2007, his family consisted of his wife Renu Sonkar, and three young children, Shubham Sonkar (10 years), Rishabh Sonkar (8 years), and Vishat Sonkar (7 years). After the death of the head of the family, Raju Sonkar, the responsibility of earning a livelihood and bringing up the children fell on his wife, Renu Sonkar.

The victim's family going around the courts, but hopes for justice diminishing

According to the victim's family, a case regarding the matter is going on in the court as well. Renu Sonkar said, "Besides earning a living, I have also been taking care of the children. The court case is also going on. One has to keep going to the court because of being called again and again for hearings. In 2013, following a stomach operation, I had stopped going to court, and a year ago, the court send a notice. Now I have to go keep going to court again."

The family has not received one paisa, and has met DM more than 100 times in 15 years

According to Renu Sonkar, even after 15 years, neither has the family received the Rs.5 lakh compensation from the government nor has any child been given a government job. A shop had also promised to the victim's family, but the administration has not even gotten around to providing this to them. Renu has met the DM more than one hundred times in the last 15 years. During this time, many DMs have come and gone but no one has responded to her. Renu told us that as of now in 2022,  she has made six visits to the District Magistrate's office. In 2021, however, because of the corona pandemic, she could go only five times.

The shop was demolished three months ago

According to the victim's family, their only means of livelihood was the idol shop on the parade ground. With the help of this, the family has been surviving in some way. Renu Sonkar told us that three months ago, this[temporary] shop was also demolished, because of which their means of livelihood has also come to an end.

Children have abandoned education, no money to fight the case

Sharing her pain with The Mooknayak, Renu Sonkar said, "The idol shop did not earn as much money, but there was at least enough coming to run the house. Now due to a lack of income, all three children have had to abandon their education. I also have to keep going to court. A lot of money is spent on this for commuting and for court appearances. Since the shop was demolished, every moment is becoming difficult."

Family trying to survive by eating roti and salt

After the death of the husband, along with the lack of official support, three months ago the family's means of livelihood also ended due to the shop being demolished. Renu calls us and says, "I am not able to make sense of anything. I have become very upset, somehow I am keeping alive by eating roti with salt."

Even after strict instructions from CM, officials are not personally answering calls

Regarding Renu Sonkar's case, The Mooknayak twice contacted the District Magistrate of Prayagraj on his CUG number. Both the times the District Magistrate'sstenographer answered the call. The astonishing point is that the Chief Minister has several times given strict instructions to the officials to answer their CUG numbers themselves. Along with this, the Chief Minister has also many times that if the officials do not do this, then action will be taken against them. Despite this, on calling the officials, the calls are answered by employees posted in their office.

यहां हिन्दी में भी पढ़ें: यूपी: ADM की गाड़ी से हुई थी दलित व्यक्ति की मौत, 15 साल बाद भी नहीं मिला इंसाफ!

[Story Translated By Lotika Singha]