SC indicates inquiry into 'social boycott' of Dalits in Haryana village; asks for names of officers

The Supreme Court indicated on Wednesday that it might order an inquiry into the alleged "social boycott" of Dalit community in a Haryana village for over two years due to a dispute with the "dominant" community over drawing water from a hand-pump.

A bench headed by Justice N V Ramana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to be ready with names of three or four officers who could hold inquiry into the matter.

"You give names of some independent officers who are neither from this community nor from that community," the bench told Mehta.

The bench was hearing a petition which has raised the issue of alleged social boycott of Dalit community in a village in Haryana's Hisar district from July 2, 2017.

During the arguments, the bench asked senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioners, as to why they were seeking a CBI inquiry into the matter.

"You are asking for a CBI inquiry. What is it that you will get from it? There is no problem in ordering CBI inquiry but what you will get from that," the bench asked.

Gonsalves said the state police has done nothing in the matter and they have been "acting on the side of the dominant community in the whole process".

Mehta told the bench that the incident took place around two-and-half-year ago and the situation has "calmed down" there.

"In the high court (of Punjab and Haryana) there was a petition seeking CBI inquiry. The high court had asked the district judge to visit the place and verify this. The residents there said they have settled everything among themselves but two people are coming and instigating the villagers," he said.

Regarding names of independent officers, Mehta said it might not be required in the interest of justice.

The bench, however, asked him to be ready with names of officers and posted the matter for hearing in December.

The apex court had earlier termed the issue as "serious" and said it is a matter related to social boycott and atrocity and the police has to take action.

The plea has sought a direction to the CBI to take over the probe and prosecute those against whom complaints have been filed with the police alleging that not even a single person has been arrested so far.

It has also sought a direction to the Haryana government to "immediately put an end to the social boycott imposed by the dominant community since July 2, 2017, inter alia, and punish all those responsible for the social boycott by imposition of a collective fine on the dominant community..."