A Hasthpur family from Aligarh’s Iglas region, led by Vishnu and his parents Chandrawati and Chandrapal, filed 16 SC/ST cases over 15 years, claiming police inaction, while officials state they received lakhs in compensation. The repeated cases have now prompted a formal investigation by a three-member National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) panel in Uttar Pradesh.
A family from Hasthpur village in the Iglas region of Aligarh has raised significant concerns by filing 16 cases under the SC/ST Act over the past 15 years, prompting a formal investigation by a three-member team from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC).
The family, led by Vishnu along with his parents Chandrawati and Chandrapal, alleges police inaction and threats to their safety. In contrast, the accused and local villagers contend that the Act is being misused for financial benefits.
Officials have stated that the family has received substantial compensation related to these cases, amounting to lakhs.
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However, police have filed final reports (FR) for five of the cases, citing insufficient evidence or false claims. To address the controversy, the NCSC dispatched a high-level investigation team yesterday, led by DIG Sunmeet Kaur, along with Deputy Director Dr. R Stalin and legal advisor Niti Chaudhary.
The team conducted a six-hour inquiry, engaging with district officials at the Circuit House and visiting the village to meet both the complainant family and local residents. During the briefing, the Social Welfare Department informed the Commission that Rs 13 lakh had been disbursed to Vishnu’s family as compensation, but the Commission’s records indicated payouts totaling Rs 46 lakh.
The team instructed district officials to carry out a comprehensive re-investigation and provide a detailed report.
District Magistrate Sanjeev Ranjan commented,
“In the matter of multiple SC/ST Act cases filed by a single family in Hasthpur, the Commission’s team arrived for an on-ground investigation. They sought complete details as well as compensation awarded so far. A site visit was also conducted.”
Similarly, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Neeraj Jadon noted,
“A total of 16 SC/ST Act cases have been filed by one family from the Iglas region, with five already closed with final reports. The Commission’s team spoke with the parties concerned. The final decision now rests with the Commission.”
While Vishnu has claimed police inaction regarding recent attacks on his father and threats to his family, several villagers, including Bablu, the village head’s husband, and local resident Shrikrishna, have accused Vishnu of filing false complaints for compensation.
A 2017 joint report by then DM Rishikesh Bhaskar Yashod and SSP Rajesh Kumar Pandey had concluded that the family was misusing the Act, but the Commission later rejected that report and ordered a new investigation.
The NCSC team also examined the family’s home and the alleged crime site in the fields, along with conducting a review meeting at the local police station.
The investigation is still ongoing, and the Commission is expected to make a final decision based on the latest reports and testimonies gathered during this visit.