Himachal Pradesh: NCSC seeks ATR on recommendations in DSP Vijay Kumar caste atrocity complaint
The NCSC has demanded an Action Taken Report from Himachal Pradesh authorities regarding allegations of caste-based atrocities against DSP Vijay Kumar.
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has stepped into a high-profile dispute in Himachal Pradesh, demanding an immediate Action Taken Report (ATR) from the state government and the Director General of Police (DGP). The move follows serious allegations of caste-based atrocities, institutional victimisation, and professional isolation filed by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vijay Kumar.
The Core Allegations: Professional Isolation and Harassment
Vijay Kumar, currently serving as the DSP (Headquarters) in Shimla, has leveled grave accusations against senior police officials. According to his complaint, he has been subjected to deliberate caste-based harassment and the misuse of administrative authority. The DSP alleges that his professional life has been systematically undermined through several targeted actions:
- Obstruction of Transfers: Kumar claims that a transfer order intended to post him as the Sub-Divisional Police Officer at Paonta Sahib was intentionally blocked by senior officers to benefit another official.
- Discriminatory Postings: Following legal proceedings in the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Kumar was moved to the 2nd India Reserve Battalion in Kangra district. He argues that the sequence of his postings and joining difficulties were part of a pattern of discriminatory treatment.
- Resource Withdrawal: The DSP alleged that his official vehicle was withdrawn and his substantive duties were significantly curtailed.
- Workplace Isolation: He further claimed that subordinate personnel were actively discouraged from working with him, leading to total professional isolation.
Medical Concerns and Field Duty Disputes
A significant point of contention involves Kumar's health. The DSP stated that he suffered serious spinal injuries and was on medical leave from March 12 to May 10 this year. He alleges that despite this, the department assigned him physically demanding field duties that directly contradicted medical advice.
The police department has challenged this claim of incapacity, pointing to Kumar's ability to travel to New Delhi to attend Commission proceedings. However, during the September 10 hearing, the NCSC panel, led by Member Partha Biswas, reportedly rejected the argument that traveling to attend a constitutional body's hearing could be used as evidence of fitness for strenuous field assignments.
NCSC Demands Transparency and Protection
The Commission has taken a stern view of the situation, specifically noting the absence of the state's DGP during the proceedings. To resolve the matter, the NCSC has requested the state government and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Vigilance), R D Nazeem, to provide several key pieces of information:
- Chronological Records: A detailed timeline regarding Kumar’s transfers, joining, and deployment.
- Comparative Data: Details of other Himachal Pradesh Police Service (HPPS) officers who were transferred during the same period to check for patterns.
- Policy Justification: The official policy and reasoning behind the allocation of vehicles and the specific duties assigned to Kumar during his medical recovery.
Crucially, the NCSC has directed that Vijay Kumar must be protected from any coercive, retaliatory, or adverse actions resulting from his decision to approach a constitutional body. The Commission also mandated that his work assignments must be compatible with his documented medical condition.
The Department's Stance
The Himachal Pradesh police department has denied all allegations of caste bias. Officials maintain that the transfers and movement orders in question were routine administrative decisions and have characterized the dispute as arising from general administrative dissatisfaction rather than systemic discrimination.
While the NCSC has formally demanded a report on its recommendations, the Commission has clarified that this request does not constitute a final finding on the allegations, which remain under active examination.