Authorities in Himachal Pradesh have arrested a 50-year-old woman in connection with the alleged suicide of a 12-year-old Dalit boy in Rohru subdivision of Shimla district. The incident, which occurred on 16 September, is being investigated as a possible case of caste-based harassment under the focus of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Incident and Arrest
According to police reports, the boy, belonging to the Koli community (a scheduled caste), was allegedly locked inside a cowshed and assaulted by the woman for entering her house. The next day, he consumed poison and died at the Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla on 17 September.
The accused, identified as Pushpa Devi (50), a resident of Limbra village in Rohru, was arrested on 15 October after the Himachal Pradesh High Court rejected her anticipatory bail application. She was remanded in police custody for three days by the local court in Rohru.
Legal Action & Allegations of Caste Bias
Police have filed an FIR under multiple sections including abetment to suicide (Section 107 BNS), wrongful confinement (Section 127 BNS), voluntary hurt (Section 115 BNS), and the SC/ST Act. The Himachal Pradesh High Court indicated that provisional evidence suggests the offence was motivated by the victim’s caste status.
The regional Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission has expressed concern over investigative lapses, including delayed application of the SC/ST Act and slow submission of the status report.
Context and Caste-Based Violence in Himachal
This case has reignited concerns about caste-based discrimination in Himachal Pradesh, especially in rural areas. Civil society groups are now demanding the identification of “atrocity-prone areas” across the state and stronger enforcement of protective laws.
Historically, the state has seen instances of harassment of Dalit communities in certain village enclaves, and authorities say this case may reflect deeper structural issues. The police report indicates that the victim’s entry into the woman’s house triggered claims of “uncleanliness” and a demand for a sacrificial goat to “purify” the premises.
Impact and Broader Implications
For the victim’s family and community, this incident is a stark reminder of the risks that marginalized children may face due to caste prejudice. The arrest could signal a stronger posture by police and judiciary in handling such cases.
Legal experts say that timely invocation of the SC/ST Act is critical, as delays can enable bail and hamper accountability. “When caste bias is at the root, the law must move quickly to send a signal that discrimination will not go unpunished,” said one advocate associated with a rights group.
For the Himachal government, the case puts pressure on local administration to review how complaints of caste-based harassment are handled—especially in remote subdivisions like Rohru. The chief minister’s office is reported to be monitoring the investigation.
FAQs
A: A 12-year-old boy from a scheduled caste died by suicide after allegedly being confined and assaulted by an upper-caste woman in Rohru, Shimla.
A: A 50-year-old woman named Pushpa Devi from Limbra village has been arrested and remanded for three days in police custody.
A: The FIR and status report suggest that the assault and confinement occurred because of the boy’s caste, and the SC/ST Act is being applied for alleged atrocities.
