NHRC Calls for Action Taken Report on Alleged Caste Abuse, Assault and Obstruction of Religious Freedom in Koderma
NHRC Calls for Action Taken Report on Alleged Caste Abuse, Assault and Obstruction of Religious Freedom in Koderma
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Koderma, Jharkhand, to inquire into allegations of caste-based abuse, assault, obstruction of religious practice and intimidation involving members of the Dalit community in Rupandih village, Koderma.
The matter concerns Rajkumar Ravidas, aged 55, a resident of Nawadih, Post Bahradih, under Domchanch Police Station, Koderma. The complaint was submitted to the NHRC by Lenin Raghuvanshi, Founder-Convenor, People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), on 17 July 2025. The NHRC diary records the matter as Diary No. 16734/IN/2025, under the category “Abuse of Power.”
Alleged obstruction at Ravidas Temple
According to the complaint and the victim's statement submitted to the NHRC, the incident occurred in connection with an attempt by members of the Dalit community to install a statue of Sant Ravidas at a temple in Rupandih village.
The complaint alleges that members of the community faced opposition, caste-based verbal abuse and physical assault when they attempted to proceed with the installation.
The victim's statement describes the incident in detail and alleges that a group of persons opposed the religious activity and that violence followed. The statement also refers to the presence of police at the location and an altercation during which the local Station House Officer was allegedly injured.
The NHRC complaint record identifies Ravidas Temple as the place of the incident and records 12 February 2025 as the incident date.
Allegations concerning an earlier hoarding
The complaint further raises concerns regarding a hoarding, board and flag allegedly placed in front of the Ravidas temple.
According to the complaint, written representations had previously been submitted to the authorities regarding the alleged installation, but the complainant states that effective action was not taken.
The victim's statement also alleges that the community had anticipated opposition and had approached the SDM, Koderma, in writing before the incident.
The statement describes an atmosphere of tension surrounding the proposed installation and alleges that, despite police presence, members of the community were prevented from proceeding.
Allegations of caste abuse and a subsequent case
The complaint submitted by PVCHR to the NHRC specifically concerns allegations of caste-based verbal abuse, physical assault and obstruction of religious freedom.
The victim's statement further alleges that, following the incident, a case was registered against members of the Dalit community whom the complainant describes as victims. It calls for examination of the circumstances surrounding that case and for appropriate legal action against those responsible for the alleged assault and obstruction.
The statement also raises concerns about the safety of the community and alleges continuing fear and intimidation.
These are allegations contained in the complaint and victim statement and require examination through an impartial investigation.
NHRC seeks an Action Taken Report
The complaint dated 17 July 2025 was placed before the NHRC on 14 September 2026.
After considering the complaint, the Commission recorded that the allegations, if true, would constitute serious violations of the human rights of the victims.
The NHRC therefore directed its Registry to send the complaint to the District Magistrate, Koderma, and Superintendent of Police, Koderma, for inquiry.
The authorities have been directed to submit an Action Taken Report within two weeks from receipt of the NHRC communication.
Religious freedom and equality before the law
The matter raises broader questions concerning the ability of marginalized communities to exercise their rights without intimidation or discrimination.
Any dispute involving a place of worship, public order or competing claims must be addressed through lawful and impartial procedures. Where allegations of caste abuse, violence or obstruction of religious practice are made, the facts should be independently established and the rights of all concerned protected.
For the Dalit community involved in this case, the central concerns raised in the complaint include the ability to participate in religious and community life without caste-based humiliation, violence or intimidation.
Importance of an impartial inquiry
The NHRC's direction provides an institutional mechanism for examining the allegations.
The inquiry can establish, among other matters:
- what occurred at the Ravidas temple;
- the circumstances surrounding the proposed installation of the Sant Ravidas statue;
- whether caste-based abuse or physical assault occurred;
- the role and conduct of the police present at the location;
- the circumstances surrounding the injury allegedly sustained by the SHO;
- the status and basis of any criminal case registered following the incident;
- whether prior complaints regarding the hoarding, board and flag were received and acted upon;
- whether members of the Dalit community faced threats or intimidation; and
- what measures are required to protect the community and ensure lawful exercise of religious freedom.
These questions remain matters for investigation and determination by the competent authorities.
Documentation as a pathway to accountability
The complaint submitted to the NHRC includes the victim's detailed statement as an accompanying document. The statement provides a first-person account of the events, including the circumstances before and after the alleged confrontation.
The NHRC diary records Rajkumar Ravidas, 55, as the victim, and identifies Rupandih/Koderma as the location connected with the complaint.
Such documentation is important in human-rights work because it preserves the account of affected communities and enables complaints to be examined by appropriate institutions.
Two-week deadline
The NHRC communication dated 14 September 2026 directs the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Koderma, to conduct an inquiry and submit the Action Taken Report within two weeks.
The Commission has also directed public authorities to submit their communication through the HRCNet Portal in accordance with its procedure.
The next stage will therefore depend upon the inquiry and the report submitted by the Koderma authorities.
PVCHR hopes that the investigation will be fair, impartial, evidence-based and time-bound, and that the rights and safety of the affected community will be duly considered.
Case Details
Important note: This article reports allegations contained in the complaint and victim's statement and the subsequent NHRC direction. It does not establish the guilt or liability of any person. The allegations concerning caste abuse, assault, obstruction, intimidation and the conduct of public authorities remain subject to investigation and due process.
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| NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION |
| MANAV ADHIKAR BHAWAN BLOCK-C, GPO COMPLEX, INA, NEW DELHI- 110023 |
| Fax No.: 011-24651332 Website: www.nhrc.nic.in |
| (Law Division) |
| Case No.- 1192/34/12/2025 |
| Date : 14/09/2026 |
| To, |
| THE DISTRICT MAGISTRATE KODERMA JHARKHAND Email- dc-kod@nic.in THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE KODERMA JHARKHAND Email- sp-koderma@jhpolice.gov.in |
| Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from |
LENIN RAGHUVANSHI |
| Subject: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR) -1192/34/12/2025. |
| Sir/ Madam, |
| The complaint/ intimation dated 17/07/2025, was placed before the Commission on 14/09/2026. Upon perusing the same, the Commission directed as follows: |
| An online Complaint dated 17.07.2025 has been received from Lenin Raghuvanshi r/o SA 4/2a Daulatpur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in the Commission on 17.07.2025 containing that: |
| 2. Accordingly, I am forwarding herewith a copy of the complaint/ intimation as an attachment for taking appropriate action in the matter as per the directions of the Commission. It is requested that an Action Taken Report be sent to the Commission within 2 weeks from the date of receipt of this letter. |
| 3. Any communication by public authorities in this matter may please be sent to the Commission through the HRCNet Portal (https://hrcnet.nic.in) by using id and password already provided to the public authorities (click Authority Login). Any Audio/ Video CDs/ pen drives etc. may be sent through Speed Post/ per bearer. The reports/ responses sent through email may not be entertained. |
Your’s faithfully |
| CC to |
Complainant Details Sparsh Agarwal |
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