23, Jan 2025 | CJP Team

A fact-finding report has been released, uncovering a series of human rights violations and police atrocities in Parbhani, Maharashtra following the desecration of a Constitution replica on December 10, 2024. The incidents, marked by custodial violence, caste-based discrimination, and administrative failures, have shaken the conscience of the nation. The report, compiled by a team of legal experts, activists, and journalists, paints a grim picture of systemic injustice against Dalit communities. The report is titled Unfettered Police Brutalities: PARBHANI –Fact-Finding Report on Allegations of Brute, Unlawful & Anti-Constitutional Conduct by Parbhani Police (December 10-15, 2024)

A protest was sparked by the desecration of a Constitution replica in front of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statue. During a bandh called by the Dalit organisations to condemn the desecration incident, the perpetrator of which had been deemed as “lunatic” by the police before his arrest, certain outside elements came and indulged in violence. The police, which let the unruly crowd run amok for almost one hour, weaponised this incident to target Dalit colonies by conducting combing operations, using brute force and indulge in violence. While the police registered FIRs focusing on property damage caused during protests, following the desecration of the Constitution in front of DR BR Ambedkar’s statue, twelve detailed private complaints of police violence remain unacknowledged.

Key findings from the report

1. Custodial death of Somnath Suryawanshi: Somnath, a 35-year-old law student and an LIC agent, was arrested on December 11 and subjected to severe custodial violence. He succumbed to injuries on December 15, with the post-mortem report citing “shock following multiple injuries.” Despite filing complaints, his family has seen no action against the police officers implicated. His mother, Vijayabai Suryawanshi, has rejected a government compensation offer of ₹10 lakh and has demanded life imprisonment for those responsible.
2. Widespread police brutality: The report documents harrowing accounts of police combing operations in Dalit-majority areas like Bhim Nagar, Priyadarshini Nagar, and Sarang Nagar. Residents reported police breaking into homes, assaulting men and women, including minors and elderly individuals, and using caste-based slurs. Women recounted instances of extreme violence, including injuries on their private parts, and detainees were allegedly tortured in custody with blows to their feet and palms to conceal visible injuries. The brute violence and unchecked brutalities displayed by police during the beatings of women and the young in their homes during the combing operations and after that in custody have violated all laws and statutes including directions by the Supreme Court on police conduct towards those in custody.
3. Failure to address complaints: Victims and their families have filed twelve detailed complaints highlighting police atrocities and instances of police brutality, but none have been converted into FIRs. Instead, police FIRs focus on property damage caused during protests, ignoring complaints of custodial violence and abuse.
4. Administrative lapses: The team found that prior to the desecration, a far-right Hindutva event had taken place near the area of incident. At the said extremist event, incendiary speeches had been made. The report finds that the administration allowed the Hindu Ekta Morcha, an event organised by an outfit with with a history of inviting speakers who make incendiary speeches that violate the law and breach social peace, , to proceed without adequate preventive measures. No steps, such as videography of speeches or imposition of Section 144 of the CrPC (163 pf the BNSS), were taken to avoid unrest. The police also failed to investigate the role of Datta Sopan Pawar, who desecrated the Constitution replica and was swiftly declared “mentally deranged” without a formal psychiatric assessment.
5. Targeting of activists and Dalit leaders: Prominent Dalit activists and leaders were particularly targeted. Activist Vijay Wakode died of a heart attack shortly after attending deceased Somnath’s funeral, allegedly due to relentless police intimidation. Other victims include law student Dhammadip Mogale, who was assaulted and threatened into silence, and activist Vatsalabai Manvate, who faced brute violence during the combing operations.

Recommendations and demands

The fact-finding team has called for urgent and comprehensive action to address these violations:

• Accountability for police atrocities: Immediate FIRs must be registered against officers involved in violence, including under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Suspensions and investigations of the erring officers should follow, under the supervision of the judiciary.
• Transparency and public accountability: Publicly disclose police orders regarding the chain of command responsibility in police operation and deputation register to ascertain who was responsible for the combing operation that violated the law, the Indian Constitution and International Human Rights Law. Additionally, video recordings of the Hindu Ekta Morcha, and CCTV footage from police stations must be disclosed. Compliance with Supreme Court guidelines on CCTV installation in police stations should be ensured.
• Public Disclosure of Police Personnel present at the Police Station at Parbhani where gross human rights abuses have been alleged to have taken place, the Case Diaries of Instructions given by SPs and their superiors behind all these actions.
• Compensation and rehabilitation: All victims of police brutality should receive substantial reparation in the form of financial compensation and access to medical and psychological care. Somnath’s siblings should be given government jobs as part of rehabilitation efforts.
• Independent investigation into the Constitution desecration: The role of Datta Sopan Pawar and the possible involvement of others must be thoroughly investigated, with findings made public.
• Systemic reforms: The state must commit to ending caste-based discrimination within law enforcement, ensuring strict adherence to human rights laws and accountability for violations.

It was days after the tragic incidents in December 2024, Advocate. Abhay Taksal (CPI), Advocate Pawan Jondhale, Youth Ambedkarite Leader, Sudhir Salve, Comrade Vikas Gaikwad, Comrade Pritam Ghagave, and Ambedkarite leader, Rahul Pradhan spent hours in Parbhani interviewing victims, eye-witnesses and even interacting with the authorities. It is on this basis that the Fact-Finding Report has been prepared. Teesta Setalvad, secretary, Citizens for Justice and Peace and Raju Parulekar, poet, writer and political commentator guided the effort.

The events in Parbhani represent a horrifying betrayal of constitutional values and the rule of law. The victims, primarily from marginalised Dalit communities, continue to await justice while the guilty remain shielded by systemic bias and administrative indifference. The fact-finding team emphasises the urgent need for accountability, transparency, and systemic reform to ensure such atrocities are never repeated. The nation must stand in solidarity with the victims and demand justice for Parbhani.

The Preliminary Fact-finding report may be read here:

The Preliminary Fact-finding report in Marathi may be read here:

Artwork by Sunil Abhiman Awchar