SC warns Haryana govt of contempt for obstructing Dalit boycott probe

The Supreme Court has cautioned the Haryana Government, warning of contempt proceedings if it fails to cooperate with a court-appointed panel investigating the alleged social boycott of Dalits by a ‘dominant’ community in Bhatia village, Hansi tehsil, Hisar district.

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The top court had in October 2024 ordered an independent probe into social boycott of Dalits in Haryana village

A Bench led by Justice MM Sundresh, after reviewing a letter dated January 31, 2025, from Kamendra Prasad, retired DGP, expressed disappointment over the state's lack of support.

"Despite efforts being undertaken, the state is not willing to cooperate… We make it clear that any lack of cooperation on the part of the state would lead to the initiation of contempt proceedings," the Bench said on Tuesday. The matter was posted for further hearing after six weeks.

Representing Haryana, the state counsel assured the Bench that all necessary assistance, including travel costs and logistical support for the officers conducting the probe, would be provided.

However, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioners, alleged that the Supreme Court’s orders had not been followed, and despite multiple communications from the two-member committee, no logistical support was provided by the Haryana Government.

The case dates back to June 2017, when a group of Dalit boys was allegedly assaulted by members of a 'dominant community' over the use of a hand-pump in a Hisar village. Six persons were injured and hospitalised, prompting the filing of an FIR.

On October 16, 2024, the Supreme Court directed an independent probe by two former DGPs of Uttar Pradesh — Kamendra Prasad (1981 Batch IPS) and Vikram Chand Goyal (1975 Batch IPS) — tasking them with submitting a report on the current situation and recommended actions.

The top court directed the officers to submit a status report within three months, detailing the prevailing situation and any necessary measures regarding the allegations of social boycott.

"We make it clear that there is no bar for the pending trial to proceed," the Bench had stated.

During the previous hearings, the Bench was informed that no recent untoward incidents had occurred and that "normalcy" was prevailing.

However, controversy remains over the police probe, as the chargesheet filed on August 20, 2017, named only one accused, while six out of seven accused persons were given a clean chit by the Haryana Police.

The Supreme Court’s insistence on an independent probe signals its dissatisfaction with the state's handling of the case and could lead to legal action against the Haryana Government if compliance is not ensured.