MP Barodiya Nonagir Dalit Murder Case: Fact-Finding Report Casts Suspicion on Anjana's Death

Bhopal - A fact-finding report by a citizen investigation team has been prepared on the infamous Khurai Barodiya Nonagir Dalit murder case in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. This team includes advocates Mohan Dixit, Aditya Rawat, Madhuri from People's Union for Civil Liberties, Anjali from All India Feminist Forum, Neelu Dahiya, Nitin, Rohit from the Jagrut Adivasi Dalit Sangathan, and Sadaf Khan. This report was released on Friday at a press conference in the state capital, Bhopal. The report accuses the police administration and BJP leader, former minister Bhupendra Singh, of serious allegations.

In August 2023, the brutal murder of an 18-year-old Dalit youth, Nitin Ahirwar, and the attack on his mother and sister were reported in Barodiya Nonagir village of Sagar district. Merely nine months later, Nitin's uncle, and a key witness in the case, Rajendra Ahirwar, was violently attacked and killed. While bringing Rajendra's body home, Nitin's courageous and outspoken 20-year-old sister Anjana Ahirwar died under suspicious circumstances.

"We found that due to media activism, most of the accused in the Nitin murder case were arrested, but several shortcomings remained in the proceedings. Due to bias and partiality of local politicians and the administration, the pressure on the victim's family continued, leading to the deaths of Rajendra and Anjana. Complaints about pressure from the accused on the victims to compromise, the omission of a local politician's name, and sluggish action were not addressed. Previously, cases of sexual violence against some of these same dominant individuals had been weakened," the fact-finding report reads.

"Sagar is an important center of political power in Madhya Pradesh. In this case, opposition leaders and even Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav visited the victims. However, a month and a half later, most of the accused in Rajendra's murder have not been arrested. Anjana's death is being explained as a 'fall or jump' from the corpse vehicle, which is unbelievable. When asked for details, the police, after a month and a half, still say 'the investigation is ongoing' and remain silent."

"The circumstances of Anjana's death point to a conspiracy. Anjana was educated and played a crucial role in seeking justice in all these atrocities. She was the one who communicated with the administration and politicians on behalf of the family. At the age of 15, she was able to file an FIR against influential people in her own case of violence and refused to compromise in this case as well."

"Anjana was the complainant and a key witness in the murder case of her brother Nitin. She was also a key witness in her uncle's murder case, as he had informed her about the attack on him over the phone. Anjana was constantly pressured to compromise and change her testimony, and she had made several written complaints in this regard. She opposed the bail applications of Nitin's murder accused in the High Court, leading to the rejection of their bail. She was also preparing to file an objection in the Supreme Court."

"A detailed and impartial investigation is urgently needed in all these cases, for which the local police do not appear competent and trustworthy. Therefore, we believe that an investigation should be conducted by the CBI, as demanded by the victim's family and the community."

"The statements made by the region's prominent leader, former minister, and MLA Bhupendra Singh in these cases show a bias against the victims and an attempt to downplay the seriousness of the cases. After Nitin's murder, he called it a 'personal dispute.' After Anjana and Rajendra's deaths, he labeled Rajendra a criminal and claimed that Anjana was misled by the criminals. However, the case involves atrocities by dominant individuals against Dalits, including violence against a minor girl, the deaths of three young people, a woman being beaten and stripped, and the demolition of Dalit homes."

"Notably, three main accused among the 'Lambardars,' Komal Thakur and his two sons, have been BJP workers and officials. The police have cited criminal cases against Nitin, Rajendra, and Nitin's brother Vishnu, and claimed they were used by the opposing faction of the dominant 'Lambardars.' However, the clear bias of the police shows that these pending cases also require impartial investigation. Even if these Dalit laborers were helped by members of the opposing faction in raising these issues, the allegations of violence and harassment cannot be dismissed."

"It is evident that the FIRs and complaints filed by a Dalit labor family against the dominant 'Lambardars,' their statements against them, and their refusal to compromise were seen as challenges to the dominant group's authority, leading to increased tension and violence. The victim families of Nitin, Anjana, and Rajendra have repeatedly told us that they feel unsafe."

"This case has involved interference from many prominent politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties, including a visit by the Chief Minister. Despite this, the lack of strong action has increased the danger to the victim families. It is clear that if any further violence or harassment occurs due to any shortcomings in the proceedings, the state government will be fully responsible," the fact-finding report states.

Note: This news is based on the fact-finding report of the citizen investigation team. The analysis and conclusions do not reflect the views of The Mooknayak. This news is published based on the press release issued by the mentioned institutions.