In a disturbing case of caste-based violence, a 25-year-old Dalit man from Gwalior was allegedly abducted, assaulted, and forced to drink urine in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh. Police confirmed on Tuesday that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, which has prompted sharp criticism from civil rights groups and political leaders.
The victim, Gyan Singh Jatav, a resident of Deen Dayal Nagar in Gwalior, had reportedly quit his job as a driver for one of the accused, Sonu Barua of Datawali village in Bhind. According to Jatav’s statement, Barua summoned him for driving duties again, and upon his refusal, issued threats. A few hours later, Jatav was forcibly taken from his home by Barua and two associates, identified as Alok and Chhotu.
During the abduction, Jatav alleges he was beaten with a plastic pipe, made to consume alcohol, and later forced to drink urine from a bottle. He was then taken to Bhind, where he was chained and further assaulted. He is currently undergoing treatment at Bhind District Hospital.
Senior officials including Minister Rakesh Shukla, Bhind Collector Kirodi Lal Meena, and Additional SP Sanjeev Pathak met the victim and assured action. Authorities confirmed that all three accused have been sent to jail. A formal case has been registered at Surpura police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The case follows a similar incident reported in Katni district, where another Dalit man was allegedly attacked and urinated upon amid a dispute over illegal sand mining. Such cases have become alarmingly frequent in the state, drawing attention to the persistent issue of caste-based violence.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2023, Madhya Pradesh recorded 8,232 cases of crimes against Scheduled Castes, placing it among the top three states for such offenses. Nationwide, over 57,000 cases were reported in the same year, underlining deep-seated caste tensions and the urgent need for systemic reform.
