Darbhanga: A minor dispute over unpaid wages in Harinagar village of Darbhanga district has escalated into a major law-and-order issue, drawing statewide attention after police registered an FIR against more than 200 members of the Brahmin community under multiple sections, including the stringent Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
According to the complaint, a Dalit family alleged that they were not paid nearly ₹2.5 lakh in wages for the construction of their house. To resolve the matter, a village panchayat was convened on January 30, but no consensus could be reached. Tensions reportedly intensified the following day, January 31, when a heated argument between the two sides turned into a physical altercation.
The SC/ST community alleged that during the dispute, caste-based slurs were used and threats were issued, prompting them to approach the police. Based on their complaint, an FIR was registered naming 70 individuals and listing over 140 others as “unknown accused.” As a result, a large section of the village, predominantly from the Brahmin community, was included in the case.
Controversy has arisen over the manner in which the FIR was filed. Villagers have alleged that names were added “en masse” without proper verification. They further claim that the FIR includes individuals who have not resided in Harinagar village for several years, raising serious questions about the investigation process.
Adding to the dispute, members of the Brahmin community stated that they had filed a complaint with the police on January 30, a day before the incident escalated, but alleged that no action was taken on their application. They maintain that the issue was purely financial in nature and that it was later given a caste angle, resulting in the invocation of the SC/ST Act against an entire community.
So far, police have detained 12 people for questioning. Additional police forces have been deployed in the village to prevent any further escalation and to maintain law and order. Senior police officials have described the matter as “sensitive” and said that further arrests will be made only on the basis of evidence.
“The complaint under the SC/ST Act is being thoroughly investigated. Statements from both sides are being recorded, and video footage and other evidence are being examined. No innocent person will be harassed, but action will be taken strictly according to the law,” a Darbhanga police official said.
The administration continues to closely monitor the situation, conducting regular patrols in the village to ensure peace as the investigation progresses.
