Delhi HC convicts 20 accused in Mirchpur Dalit killing

The Delhi High Court on Friday convicted 20 people, who were earlier acquitted by a trial court (Rohini Court), in Haryana's Mirchpur Dalit killing case.

In 2010, a 70-year-old Dalit man, Tara Chand, and his physically-challenged daughter were set ablaze at Mirchpur village of Haryana after a dispute between Jat and Dalit communities of the village.

The court also dismissed the appeals of 13 people belonging to Jat community against their conviction in the case. Earlier there were 15 people involved out of which two have died.

On September 24, 2011, the trial court had convicted 15, out of the 97 accused, and acquitted 20 in the case.

During the hearing, the court observed, "Jat community deliberately attacked the people of Valmiki community. The incidents that took place in Mirchpur between April 19 and 21, 2010 serve as yet another grim reminder of complete absence of two things-equality and fraternity in Indian society as noted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in final draft of Constitution."

The court further stated that the incident had created an atmosphere of fear due to which 254 Dalit families left the village. "Even after 71 years of Independence, instances of atrocities against Scheduled Castes by those belonging to dominant castes have shown no sign of abating," the court added.

It also directed the Haryana government to rehabilitate families belonging to the Dalit community who were displaced after the incident.