The police have identified the accused as Vivek Pandey, the village chief and others who attacked the Dalit boy for supporting their rival group in elections

New Delhi, December 8

In yet another incident of attack on Dalits, a young Dalit boy was allegedly attacked with a knife by a village pradhan and his associates in Hardoi village for allegedly supporting a rival in the panchayat election.

The police identified the victim as Manoj Kumar (28), a farmer, of Firozpur Khurd village. 

The police have identified the accused as Vivek Pandey, the village chief, Rajesh Pandey, Challu, and one of their brothers (yet unidentified) all belonging to upper caste.

An FIR was filed against them at the Sahabad police station. 

The police said Manoj has suffered injuries on his nose, ears and legs.

The incident occurred on December 5 when Manoj was returning home from a market. 

As per the complaint with the police, Vivek Pandey abused Mnoj for opposing him in the election. When he tried to escape, Vivek and his aides beat him up and also made casteist remarks against him. He also alleged that Vivek attacked him with a knife, after which the accused fled the spot.

Later, Manoj informed the police about the incident. Police sent him to a hospital for medical examination.

Police said the medical report pointed to “some injuries due to blunt object”.

The police have booked the accused under sections 323 (Voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. The accused have been also booked under  SC/ST Act.