AP: HRF condemns Dalit tormenting case ruling

According to the Human Rights Forum (HRF), the Venkatayapalem Dalit tonsuring case verdict only theoretically advances justice.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, the XI Additional District Judge & SC/ST Court in Visakhapatnam was unbiased in finding the accused guilty, but the court’s leniency in determining the punishment suggests that it may have disregarded the casteist aspect of the crime.

The court found the accused guilty and sentenced him to 18 months in prison, despite the fact that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which was applied in this instance, stipulates a maximum penalty of five years. It is important to remember that if Thota Trimurthulu, the main accused, had served more than two years in prison, his MLC membership would have been revoked, making him unable to run in the next elections.

According to HRF, the crime in this instance should be seen as having been perpetrated against the oppressed group as a whole, not only the victims. The court’s mild sentencing decision was made without a valid rationale. It said that the 10 defendants have been able to extend the case for 28 years because of their influence in the social, political, and economic spheres.

It said that their caste background was crucial to securing the backing of all political parties in the State and required that the State file an appeal in the High Court to lengthen the sentence. The HRF will provide all necessary assistance if the victims want to submit a private appeal, it said.