A fresh storm has gathered around the SIT Probe into Tribal Man’s Death in Madhya Pradesh as the Supreme Court ordered a completely new investigation by a neutral Special Investigation Team to unravel the circumstances leading to the death of twenty-seven-year-old Nilesh Adivasi.
The Court’s direction came after sharply conflicting allegations surfaced from within the deceased’s own family, creating an atmosphere of suspicion around the earlier police probe.
The Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that the existing record showed two mutually inconsistent narratives.
While the deceased’s brother named Govind Singh Rajput as being responsible for abetting the suicide, the wife categorically alleged that a former Home Minister and his associates had subjected her husband to pressure and intimidation, forcing him first to file and later retract a caste based complaint.
The Court said the divergence in these accounts warranted an impartial scrutiny by officers with no connection to Madhya Pradesh.
Supreme Court Forms Three-Member Neutral SIT
To ensure fairness in the SIT Probe into Tribal Man’s Death, the Court directed the Director General of Police, Madhya Pradesh, to constitute within two days a three-member SIT comprising:
- One senior police officer who entered service directly and does not have Madhya Pradesh roots
- One young IPS officer from outside Madhya Pradesh
- One woman police officer holding the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police
The SIT has been ordered to commence investigation immediately and to explore every possible angle, including those ignored or overlooked by the local police.
The Supreme Court emphasised that witness protection must be made effective and no pressure of any kind may be exerted on tribal witnesses.
Interim Protection to Accused Rajput and the Deceased’s Brother
The Court granted interim protection from arrest to Govind Singh Rajput, who is facing allegations under the IPC provisions for abetment of suicide, along with charges under the SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
The Court clarified that if the SIT discovers incriminating material, it may seek permission from the Supreme Court for custodial interrogation.
Simultaneously, the Bench extended similar protection to the deceased’s brother so that he may join the investigation without fear of coercive action.
The Court indicated that the matter presents competing allegations and therefore requires a neutral and faultless investigation mechanism.
High Court asked to Consider Wife’s Pending Petition
While the SIT proceeds with the SIT Probe into Tribal Man’s Death, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has been requested to take up the writ petition filed earlier by Nilesh’s wife.
Her petition alleged bias, manipulation and deliberate inaction by the local police who, despite her repeated written complaints, did not register any case against the persons she had accused.
The Supreme Court said the High Court must decide her petition keeping in view the directions issued by the apex court.
Background
Nilesh Adivasi had initially lodged a complaint on July 1 alleging caste based abuse by Rajput. Days later, he submitted a sworn affidavit before the Superintendent of Police stating that the complaint was false and that it had been extracted from him when he was intoxicated.
He further informed a magistrate that he had no dispute with Rajput and had acted under pressure from individuals linked to a local politician.
On July 25, Nilesh was found dead by hanging in his home. His wife made three written complaints on three different dates naming a former Home Minister and his associates as the persons responsible for harassment.
None of her complaints referred to Rajput.
However, the deceased’s brother gave an entirely different version, alleging that Rajput and others had abetted the suicide. The police eventually registered a fresh case naming Rajput but only months after the incident.
Rajput’s pleas for anticipatory bail were rejected by both the trial court and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, leading to his approach to the Supreme Court. His counsel argued that the case was tainted by political rivalry and built on selective reliance upon statements.
The Supreme Court has now directed that only an unbiased SIT can uncover the truth behind the tragic demise.
SIT Probe into Tribal Man’s Death to Determine True Cause
As directed by the Supreme Court, the SIT Probe into Tribal Man’s Death must conclude within one month and submit its findings after examining all competing narratives without fear or favour.
The final outcome of this investigation will determine not only the question of criminal liability but also the integrity of the justice process in cases involving vulnerable tribal citizens.
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