Overview
- The court said a “parallel administration” appeared to have operated in Sahibganj and called the situation a complete violation of constitutional rights.
- It directed the Sahibganj deputy commissioner and superintendent of police to ensure the Paharia community’s safety and immediately restore access to basic amenities.
- The bench ordered the director general of police and the state Home Department to monitor compliance and ensure supplies of food grains, drinking water and other essentials, sending copies to the chief secretary and relevant welfare departments.
- The case stems from a March 14, 2025 Holi incident in which men allegedly stopped festivities, threatened villagers and used caste-based slurs, leading to an extended boycott.
- Case diary accounts describe threats of Rs 10,000 fines for shopkeepers, warnings to doctors, children blocked from schools and anganwadis, and a government well allegedly damaged, as the court also rejected a joint compromise after the accused claimed they were not named in the FIR.