A serious case of caste-based prejudice and untouchability has emerged within the Himachal Pradesh Police ranks. A constable assigned to the Chopal police station in Shimla district has formally accused his senior colleague of humiliating him over his caste background and subjecting him to mental agony. Acting on the formal grievance, the police department has registered a case under relevant statutory provisions and launched a detailed inquiry.
Interrogation Over Caste Identity on the First Day of Guard Duty
The complainant, Constable Rajesh Kumar, submitted a written complaint to the Station House Officer of Chopal, outlining the sequence of events. Kumar stated that he was assigned to the security guard team for Birendra Devi beginning on July 27. According to his account, Head Constable Rakesh Kumar, who was functioning as the guard in-charge, questioned him regarding his caste background on the very first day of their deployment together. Upon learning that the constable belonged to the Dalit community, the senior personnel immediately initiated discriminatory treatment.
Invoking Deity Customs to Bar Access to Cooking Utensils
As documented in the official complaint, Head Constable Rakesh Kumar identified himself as a Gur of deity Mahasu. Citing this traditional religious role, the senior officer claimed that he was bound by strict taboos and rituals. He then instructed the Dalit constable not to handle or touch any food vessels or drinking water utensils in the guard room, warning that his deity would personally take notice if the boundary was breached. Being systematically segregated and barred from handling meals inside the shared duty quarters caused acute mental distress to the constable.
Repetition of Discriminatory Conduct During Subsequent Deployments
According to Constable Rajesh Kumar, the exclusionary conduct was not an isolated episode. When he was posted again to the exact same security detail on September 11, the senior officer allegedly subjected him to similar caste-based bias. Two days later, on September 13, another incident of caste-linked indignity occurred in connection with meals, demonstrating a continuing pattern of discriminatory behavior within the unit.
Video Evidence Cited as Police File Formal Charges
The complainant has stated that he captured video recordings of the encounters on his mobile phone, asserting that the footage contains admissions regarding the inquiry into his caste background. Following the submission of the complaint, the Chopal police registered a First Information Report under Section 3(1)(r) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Investigating officers have stated that a comprehensive probe into the matter is actively underway.
