Rajasthan Court Acquits All 40 in 2015 Dalit Killings: 'Event Proven, Doer Not'

A Special SC/ST Court in Rajasthan has acquitted all 40 individuals accused in the 2015 killing of five Dalits in Dangawas village. The court stated that while the event itself was proven, the perpetrators could not be identified.

What Happened

On May 14, 2015, violence erupted in Dangawas village, resulting in the deaths of five Dalit individuals. According to survivors, a group of approximately 250-300 men arrived on motorcycles and tractors, encircling and assaulting 16 people, including six women. The attackers reportedly used a tractor to run over victims and stripped some individuals. The violence lasted for about half an hour, leading to the destruction of a room and hut belonging to the Dalit community. The incident prompted the then Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government to order a CBI inquiry.

Key Facts

• A Special SC/ST Court acquitted all 40 accused in the May 14, 2015, killing of five Dalits in Dangawas village, Rajasthan.
• The court stated, “Ghatna siddha hai, karta asiddha (The event is proven, the doer is not).”
• The deceased included Ganesh, Pancha Ram, and Ratna Ram, along with other extended family members.
• Dalits constitute about one-sixth of Dangawas village population, with Jats making up approximately three-fourths, according to the 2011 Census.
• The violence reportedly involved around 250-300 men arriving on about 50 motorcycles and three tractors.
• Survivors reported being encircled and assaulted with weapons, with a tractor allegedly being used to run over victims.
• The incident led to the destruction of a room and hut belonging to the Dalit side.
• The Rajasthan government had ordered a CBI inquiry following the incident.
• Legal assistance proved difficult, with lawyers in Merta City reportedly turning away the victims' families.
• The dispute centers on a 23-bigha land plot allotted to a Dalit in 1961, which later became the subject of a dispute between Dalit and Jat families over alleged mortgage and sale deeds.

Background

The central issue in the case involves a 23-bigha land plot allocated to a Dalit individual in 1961. A dispute arose over its ownership, with one version suggesting it was mortgaged in 1964 and later transferred to an adopted son of the original allottee. The clash in 2015 was reportedly triggered when the adopted son attempted to build on and occupy a portion of the land. The Jat community claimed the land was sold, while the Dalit side questioned the validity of sale deeds and alleged prior intimidation attempts, including a rape attempt, by the Jats.