Solan, August 24
The alleged caste discrimination, harassment and departmental action involving Himachal Pradesh Police DSP Vijay Raghuvanshi has escalated, with his family members, relatives and supporters associated with the All India Koli Samaj submitting a memorandum to the Governor of Himachal Pradesh through the Deputy Commissioner, Solan, on Monday.
More than 100 people were present during the submission of the memorandum, in which the family and community representatives urged the state government to intervene and ensure a fair investigation into the matter.
The family alleged that Raghuvanshi was being subjected to mental harassment and discriminatory treatment at the departmental level. They demanded that the entire matter be investigated by an independent and impartial agency.
According to the family, Raghuvanshi earned his position as DSP through hard work, merit and years of service. They alleged that despite this, he was relieved of his duties without any valid reason.
The family claimed that the action appeared to be motivated by malice and selective targeting rather than being part of a routine administrative process.
Dispute began after transfer
According to the family, DSP Raghuvanshi was posted to Paonta Sahib. After being relieved by the Shimla Superintendent of Police, he reportedly proceeded to Paonta Sahib to assume charge in compliance with departmental orders but was allegedly prevented from joining duty.
The family further alleged that the then Director General of Police, Ashok Tiwari, contacted Raghuvanshi through phone calls and WhatsApp messages and allegedly warned him of serious consequences. Questions were also raised regarding the role of officials at the level of the SP, Sirmaur, the DIG of the Southern Range and the CID.
Subsequently, suspension and a departmental inquiry were reportedly recommended against Raghuvanshi.
Questions raised over withdrawal of official vehicle, salary deductions
The family also alleged that Raghuvanshi’s official vehicle was forcibly withdrawn, compelling him to walk nearly six kilometres to reach his office.
They claimed that ₹750 continued to be deducted from his salary every month towards vehicle facilities even after the vehicle was allegedly taken away.
The family further alleged that the dispute had an impact on other family members and that his wife, who was posted as SHO at the Chhota Shimla police station at the time, was also subjected to undue pressure.
Complaint before National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Raghuvanshi has approached the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, alleging institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination.
The family said the commission was examining whether the action against him was part of a routine administrative process or whether there was a pattern of caste-based discrimination behind it.
They demanded a detailed and transparent examination of official records, including the transfer order, relieving and joining records, departmental correspondence, the SP Sirmaur’s report, vehicle allotment records, salary deductions and relevant daily diary entries.
Warning of statewide agitation
Family members and representatives of the Koli community said that if the alleged mental harassment and discriminatory treatment did not stop and a fair inquiry was not conducted, the community would launch a statewide agitation.
They maintained that their objective was not to declare any officer guilty but to bring the facts before the public and ensure an impartial investigation.
“The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to equality and dignity. We only want the truth to come out and it should be established whether this was a genuine administrative process or a case of harassment and discrimination,” the representatives said.
Among those present were Deep Ram Raghuvanshi, Hari Krishna Raghuvanshi, Keshav Raghuvanshi, Dharam Pal Raghuvanshi, Mast Ram Raghuvanshi, Tara Datt Raghuvanshi, Tula Ram Raghuvanshi, Amit Raghuvanshi, Sandeep Raghuvanshi, Yogesh Raghuvanshi, Vishal Raghuvanshi, Surender Raghuvanshi, Amar Raghuvanshi, Deepak Raghuvanshi, Nand Lal Raghuvanshi, Sohan Lal Raghuvanshi, Bimal Raghuvanshi, Kanchan Raghuvanshi, Sumitra Raghuvanshi, Asha Raghuvanshi, Meena Raghuvanshi, Usha Raghuvanshi, Babita Raghuvanshi, Santosh Raghuvanshi, Seema Raghuvanshi, Leela Datt Raghuvanshi, Kiran Raghuvanshi, Sunita Raghuvanshi, Sonu Raghuvanshi, Renu Raghuvanshi, Sheela Raghuvanshi, Dinesh Raghuvanshi, Sunil Raghuvanshi, Sandeep Tomar, Neeraj Kashyap, Vinay Kashyap, Om Prakash, Amarnath Kashyap, Sunder Lal, Narendra Kashyap, Naresh, Chaman, Lalit, Garib Das, Shubham Kashyap, Hem Chand Kashyap, Vinod Kashyap, Murari Lal, Ratan Rathore, Ram Kishan, Dhyan Singh, Kishori Lal, Satish Kumar, Mohan Lal and Mohan Singh, among others.
The allegations made by the family and community representatives are yet to be independently verified, and the version of the police department and officials concerned was not immediately available.
