On 9 September 2007, Pardhidhana, a locality in Chouthiya village in southern Madhya Pradesh was razed to the ground by hundreds of local farmers. Several members of the state machinery, including the police and higher administration, stood by as men rampaged through Pardhidhana setting fire to the shanties and demolishing the pucca houses after looting them. Several politicians, including the sitting MLA of the region took an active part in the proceedings.
Within hours of the demolition, two sets of heinous crimes had occurred: in one, two people, Bhondru and Dodelbai of Pardhidhana were found murdered in cold blood, and eyewitnesses alleged the gang rape of Dodelbai as well; in another, ten women alleged that they had been held back when the police forcibly evacuated Pardhidhana before the demolition, and had subsequently been gang raped. While the murders of Dodelbai and Bhondru have been investigated, only one person has been charged with both the crimes!
Based on the fact finding and a close analysis of the CBI charge sheets, what emerges is a systematic mis-carriage of justice. Despite fair judgements by the High Court, the displaced Pardhis have been systematically impoverished. This report details the many ways in which this has occurred.
To get a copy of the report, click here
For a copy of the report in Hindi, click here
WSS 