Lucknow: Eight individuals, including a Dalit woman, have been booked in Bhadohi district for allegedly lodging fake complaints under the SC/ST Act, creating an atmosphere of fear among villagers, particularly members of the Brahmin community, the police said on Thursday.
According to Superintendent of Police Meenakshi Katyan, the case was registered following a complaint by Krishna Pandey, a resident of Junglepur village under Gopiganj police station. Pandey accused the Dalit woman of leading the group, which has reportedly filed over a dozen fabricated cases under the SC/ST Act against Brahmin community members.
In his complaint, Pandey alleged that the group aimed to gain control over his ancestral agricultural land. He claimed that the group constructed a drain beneath his land without consent. When he opposed the construction, they allegedly threatened him with verbal abuse and false legal charges.
Pandey detailed incidents of harassment, including an event on December 14, when he attempted to plough his fields with a tractor but was obstructed and verbally abused by the group. Two days later, on December 16, after he sowed seeds on the land, the group reportedly sabotaged his efforts by flooding the field with water.
SP Meenakshi Katyan assured the villagers that a thorough investigation is underway. “Appropriate legal action will be taken against those found guilty,” she said.
The activities of the accused group have reportedly caused significant distress among the villagers, with many expressing concerns over potential misuse of the SC/ST Act to settle personal disputes.
Further legal proceedings are in progress, and the police are working to ensure justice for all parties involved.
