Brutal Assault on Dalit Journalist: Fuel Pump Owner, Accomplices Attack After Complaint of Shortchanging

Jalaun- In a shocking incident in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit journalist faced a brutal assault by the owner of a petrol pump. The journalist, Ashish Kumar, was reportedly targeted after exposing a scam at the petrol pump. The assailants, including the petrol pump manager, allegedly called the journalist to the pump, where he was physically assaulted, tied up, and even forced to carry an illegal firearm. The attackers intended to frame the journalist in a fake robbery case and hence they called the police. However when the cops arrived, they came to know about the truth.

A case was registered under the SC-ST Act against the four individuals involved, and three, including the petrol pump manager, were subsequently arrested.

The case took a twist as the journalist accused the police officer of manipulating the narrative. The police officer Divya Prakash Tiwari, refuted the allegations, asserting that an unbiased investigation had been conducted.

Speakig to The Mooknayak, Ashish Kumar revealed that the entire incident was triggered by his report exposing a scam at the petrol pump. The assailants, upset by the journalist's exposé, allegedly tried to intimidate him into not reporting against the petrol pump. The assault involved physical violence, threats of death, and the placement of an illegal pistol in the journalist's possession to fabricate evidence.

The victim claimed that a video of the assault was recorded and circulated. During the investigation, it was revealed that the incident occurred after the journalist had complained about petrol shortchange in a previous visit to the pump.

The Circle Officer (CO) of Madhougarh, Shailendra Kumar Bajpai, confirmed that the assault took place on January 5. The petrol pump operator and two employees were arrested, with efforts underway to apprehend the others involved.

Meanwhile the journalist, Ashish Kumar, accused the police of not filing the case under the appropriate section and altering the record. These claims were contested by both the SHO and the SP, who insisted that the police had acted impartially and that the allegations against them were baseless.

Past Instances Reflect a Disturbing Pattern of Caste based Violence

In December 2023, an arrest warrant was issued against BJP MLA Narendra Singh Kushwaha by the MP MLA Court of Bhind District and the Sessions Court of Madhya Pradesh. The warrant stemmed from a case filed at the Bhind rural police station, accusing Kushwaha of orchestrating the illegal beating of a Dalit man, Baburam Jamour, accompanied by derogatory comments on his caste. The incident involved four individuals, including the current Congress MLA Keshav Desai, who were implicated in the assault.

This particular case dates back to 2015, coinciding with the district panchayat members' election in Bhind. During this period, Baburam Jamour, aspiring to file his nomination as a member from ward six, found himself targeted. The motive behind the assault unfolded as Mithlesh Kushwah, the wife of Bhind MLA Narendra Singh Kushwah, was gearing up to file her nomination.

Bhind MLA Narendra Kushwaha, along with Gohad MLA Keshav Desai and their supporters, allegedly abducted Baburam Jamour from the beach market and transported him to a forested area. There, he endured severe physical abuse and verbal insults. Tragically, a person named Ramlakhan lost his life during the hearing of this case, adding a grim dimension to the already troubling incident. The incident sheds light on the dark underbelly of political power dynamics and caste-based violence, emphasizing the urgent need for justice and reform in such cases.

This incident adds to a disturbing trend of atrocities against Dalits, as highlighted by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report. The report indicates a rise in crimes against Scheduled Castes (SC) in 2022, with 57,582 cases registered compared to 50,900 in 2021. The majority of cases were under the category of general injuries, emphasizing the urgent need for addressing and preventing such atrocities.