M A I N   N E W S

Bhatta-Parsaul ‘rapes’
SC panel issues arrest warrant against SSP
Shahira Naim/TNS

Lucknow, October 5
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has issued an arrest warrant against Gautam Budh Nagar SSP Jyoti Narayan for failing to investigate seven alleged rape cases in the twin villages of Bhatta-Parsaul during a clash between farmers and the police on May 7.

The NCSC has also taken cognisance of the failure of the SSP to comply with its earlier summons of submitting a status report in the cases.

Talking to The Tribune, NCSC chairperson PL Punia said not only has an arrest warrant been issued, but the state DGP has also been instructed to produce Narayan before the commission on October 25.

According to Punia, despite summons the erring officer did not appear before the commission on four consecutive occasions, necessitating today’s arrest warrant. “Despite repeated requests, till now, he has not bothered to get the rape cases registered. He just told the commission that the matter had been referred to the state’s CB-CID. Without proper cases being registered, the CB-CID will not be able to proceed further,” maintains Punia.

The SSP maintained that so far he had not received the warrant. He had taken charge a day after the violent clash on May 7, injuring the then SSP, SN Singh.

Refusing to comment till he received the warrant, Narayan maintained that the case had been handed over to the CB-CID after which the district police had no role to play.

Denying allegations of his action against the state police being politically motivated, Punia referred to a case in 2010 where the NCSC got the

Congress-ruled Delhi Government Secretary (Labour, SC/ST and OBC) RK Srivastava arrested to ensure his presence at a hearing.

The NCSC had issued notice to the Delhi Government over the demolition of 200 houses of Dalit families in Bajitpur area. Punia said the summon had been issued to Srivastava for appearing on December 6 but he did not turn up despite reportedly giving a written confirmation. Then the NCSC issued a warrant of arrest against Srivastava. The Delhi Police produced the senior officer in the office of the NCSC, which let him off only after the officer testified before it.

Claiming to be well within his rights in accepting the complaints of the seven OBC women and of issuing the arrest warrant, Punia quoted clause 338 (8) of the Constitution, which gives the NCSC “all the powers of a civil court trying a suit”.

Similarly, the clause 338 (10) speaks of the commission being empowered to address complaints of the OBC and even the Anglo Indian community.