The role of the police in Sidhi Pee-Gate case has not been found to be above board. Initially, they tried to hush up the case and did not act against the culprit. They swung into action only after a video clip of the incident went viral and kicked up a storm across the country
Pervez Bari | Clarion India
BHOPAL — The concept of instant justice by letting loose bulldozers is a travesty of justice wherein instead of taking action only against the accused the entire family is penalised for no fault of theirs.
The “bulldozing culture” has become a norm these days in Madhya Pradesh replicating the abhorrent practice adopted by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in his state. This barbaric method is going on unabashedly in broad daylight while the multi-layered judiciary is looking the other way. Analysts and social activists all seemed to be stumped by the inaction of the judiciary which is fighting shy of taking suo moto action against the governments and their representatives of the day.
The bulldozer justice against an accused is implemented by demolishing his home. But the Madhya Pradesh unit of the Akhil Bhartiya Brahmin Samaj has not taken kindly to the demolition of the house of Pee-Gate (Sidhi urination case) accused Pravesh Shukla and it is moving the state High Court against the tactics employed by the government led by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
A press statement issued by the Brahmin Samaj on Saturday opposed the demolition of the house, claiming it was wrong to punish other members of the family for the act done by an individual.
It said a person like the accused Pravesh Shukla was not acceptable in any caste or society. “What he did is highly condemnable and unforgivable, but it is wrong to punish someone else,” said the statement. “The organisation will submit a petition in the High Court against the demolition of the house of the Shukla family members,” Brahmin Samaj state president Pushpendra Mishra said.
According to Pravesh’s wife, Kanchan, the house isn’t in his or his father’s name. It was built by her grandmother, she said. “Now we are homeless. I can’t even cook a meal for my three-year-old child. This is a grave injustice,” she said. Pravesh’s father, Ramakant Shukla, said: “Let my son face the consequences of his actions, even if it means the harshest punishment. But why punish the family?”
“The Brahmin Samaj condemns Pravesh Shukla’s act but assures to provide all assistance to the family of the accused. I have directed all district presidents of the Samaj that all help should be provided to the Shukla family. Sidhi district president of the organisation, Rakesh Dubey, has provided a relief of Rs 51,000”, the Press release stated.
Role of police not above board
The role of the police in Sidhi Pee-Gate case has not been found to be above board. Initially, they tried to hush up the case and did not act against the culprit. They swung into action only after a video clip of the incident went viral and kicked up a storm across the country. The role of Pravesh’s father is also dubious. Ramakant, seen crying before the camera after his house was bulldozed, was aware of his son’s criminal act.
Father pretends innocence
On the one hand, Ramakant was pretending to be innocent. Sources said it was Ramakant who forced the victim Dashmat Rawat to write an affidavit that no such incident had taken place.
Sources said it was Ramakant who put pressure on Rawat’s family to settle the issue. All the more, a missing person’s report was lodged at the police station, so the video should not go viral. According to reports, Dashmat Rawat used to work in the house of Pravesh Shukla.
The latter left the job after a dispute with Shukla. On the day of the incident, Shukla beat him up and peed on Rawat. Shukla made a video of the incident with the help of an acquaintance, Deendayal Sahu, who showed the video to his house owner Adarsha Shukla.
Sources further said Adarsh lodged an oral complaint to the police about the incident. Now, the police have made Adarsh and Deendayal accused in the case. Although Adarsh brought the case to the notice of the police, they did not take any action because of political pressure.
Storm across MP
When Adarsh made the video viral on social media, there was a storm across the state and the police plunged into action. When Shukla was being taken to the police station, it was clear that local cops were under his influence.
According to locals, the police were trying to put the case under the carpet because of political pressure, but since the video clip went viral they had to act. Nevertheless, the government has yet to take any action against the policemen for dereliction of duty although Home Minister Narottam Mishra has ordered an inquiry into the role of the law enforcers.
