Ranchi: Senior Congress leader and former MLA candidate Vijay Shankar Nayak today strongly condemned the brutal caste-motivated mob lynching of 18-year-old Vicky Nayak (son of Tulsi Nayak) in Chaya village under Budmu police station limits, Ranchi district, on January 16, 2026.
The victim, belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, was summoned to a village meeting on suspicion of stealing a motor pump, where he was mercilessly beaten with sticks and rods in the presence of his parents, leading to his tragic death.
Despite the clear caste-based nature of this heinous atrocity—perpetrated by non-SC/ST individuals against a member of the Scheduled Caste community—the Budmu police have conspicuously failed to register relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 in the FIR. This deliberate omission is tantamount to protecting the culprits and betraying the constitutional safeguards for marginalized communities.Shri Vijay Shankar Nayak stated:
“This is a blatant case of caste hatred and mob violence driven by deep-rooted prejudice. The exclusion of the SC/ST Act from the FIR is unacceptable and appears to be a calculated attempt to shield the accused. If Sections 3(2)(v) (punishable with life imprisonment for committing murder or other grave offences punishable with 10 years or more, knowing the victim belongs to SC/ST), 3(2)(va), and 3(1)(r) (public humiliation/insult on grounds of caste, if applicable) are not immediately added, we will have no option but to demand strict action against the police under Section 4 of the Act for willful neglect of duties.”He further warned:
“We will not tolerate this injustice. If the necessary sections are not incorporated forthwith, we will file a petition in the High Court seeking intervention. We are also preparing for a sustained agitation to ensure stringent punishment for the perpetrators, fast-track trial in a special court, and immediate & adequate compensation to the victim’s family.”Key demands include: Immediate addition of appropriate sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, to the FIR.
Swift arrest and prosecution of all involved, with trial in a fast-track special court.
Prompt interim and final compensation to the family under the SC/ST Rules, 1995, including central schemes (e.g., Dr. Ambedkar Scheme up to ₹5 lakh) and state provisions (₹8-10 lakh or more, as applicable in Jharkhand), along with government employment and security for the dependents.
This incident is a stark reminder of the persistent vulnerability of Dalit communities to caste-based violence. The police’s inaction sends a dangerous message that atrocities against SCs can go unpunished. We call upon Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the DGP, and the state administration to take immediate cognizance, uphold the rule of law, deliver swift justice, and restore faith in the system.The Dalit community stands united in this fight for dignity, justice, and accountability. We will intensify our struggle until the victim’s family receives full redressal and the guilty are punished severely.