SC bodies resent ‘one-sided’ police action in assault case

Leaders and activists of several Scheduled Caste organisations, including Ambedkar Sena Moolniwasi, Yuva Vikas Morcha and the Congress SC wing, met Phagwara SP Madhavi Sharma at the local Rest House on Thursday to express strong resentment over what they termed as “biased and one-sided” police action in an alleged attack on Shiv Sena leader Inderjit Karwal and his son Jimmy Karwal on the evening of November 18.

The representatives stated that widespread anger had erupted among the SC communities in Phagwara, who felt the police were acting selectively in the case. Valmiki community leader Dharamveer Sethi alleged that the Phagwara Police appeared to be favouring Jimmy Karwal and that the addition of Section 307 in the FIR registered against Tanish was “unjustified” and should be withdrawn.

Yuva Vikas Morcha president Anu Sahota said a video circulating on social media purportedly shows Jimmy Karwal initiating the confrontation, but the footage surfaced late in mainstream media. Sahota added that the organisations would submit the video to the SP on a pen drive and urged that an FIR also be filed against Inderjit Karwal and Jimmy under all applicable sections after examining the evidence.

Ambedkar Sena Moolniwasi president Balwinder Bodh alleged that similar incidents involving Shiv Sena leaders had occurred in the past “to secure police protection.” He further claimed that several Shiv Sena leaders in Phagwara were currently out on bail in connection with the 2018 killing of an SC youth, Bobby, and demanded that their bail be cancelled.

The delegation later handed over a written representation to SP Madhavi Sharma seeking swift action in favour of Tanish. Dharamveer Sethi also criticised Shiv Sena leaders for “vitiating the city’s atmosphere” by calling for a shutdown, while shopkeepers reportedly expressed anger over financial losses incurred during the bandh observed on November 19, for which they held Shiv Sena leaders responsible.