Kannauj: In a significant move to curb the misuse of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Kannauj police have taken strict action against individuals who allegedly conspired to file a false case under the Act to settle personal scores. Five people involved in this conspiracy have been arrested, and a charge sheet has been filed against them in court.
According to Circle Officer (CO) Kamlesh Kumar, the incident began on September 23, when Sanju Katheria, son of Satish Kumar Katheria of Didarganj, filed a case under the SC/ST Act at Sadar Kotwali. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the accused, Mohd. Deen, son of the late Nasruddin of Kaimau and others, conspired to misuse the law. The case revolved around Deen’s daughter, Mahjabeen, who was married to Naseeb alias Naseem, a resident of Qazipura, Kannauj.
Reportedly, Mahjabeen faced harassment in her marital home, prompting her father to intervene. After reaching a compromise, Naseeb failed to bring Mahjabeen back to his house. Subsequently, Mahjabeen filed a dowry harassment case in Sandi, Hardoi district. The situation escalated when Mohd. Rish, Naseeb’s brother, sought the help of his friend Digvijay Singh, who, in turn, involved Sanju Katheria and quack doctor Faiz Alam in a conspiracy to falsely implicate others under the SC/ST Act.
As part of the conspiracy, an incision was made on Katheria’s head with a sharp instrument to fabricate evidence. However, the police uncovered the plot through Call Detail Records (CDR), which revealed frequent communication between Sanju and Mohd. Rish after September 21. The investigation implicated all five accused—Mohd. Deen, Naseeb alias Naseem, Mohd. Rish, Digvijay Singh, and Faiz Alam—in the case.
CO Kamlesh Kumar emphasized that the law is meant to protect the oppressed and not to be misused for personal vendettas. “This action is a warning to those who attempt to trap innocent people by filing fake cases. The police will take strict action, and such offenders will not escape the law,” he said.
