Gujarat: ‘Harassed’, Dalit clerk hangs self

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A 31-year-old Dalit, working as a clerk in an Ahmedabad court, committed suicide at his home alleging discrimination and harassment at his workplace. Before taking the extreme step he is said to have written names of five of his colleagues who allegedly harassed him by hurling castiest remarks.
According to police, Ketan Koradia, a resident of Behrampura, Danilimbda hanged himself at his home Sunday evening while his parents were away. His father Dalpat Koradia lodged the FIR naming five of Ketan’s colleagues who work at metropolitan court, Gheekanta in Ahmedabad.
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His father has said in the FIR, lodged at Danilimbda police station, that Ketan was appointed as a clerk in 2013 and was posted in accounts department. He has alleged that since the beginning Ketan was being discriminated due his caste. “To harass him further, Ketan was transferred to court no 7 despite the fact that there was no official order. After some complaints, he was transferred back to the accounts department.”
According to the FIR, last February he was transferred to court no 14. His father has said that due to fresh transfer Ketan went into depression and proceeded on leave. On Sunday evening when Dalpatbhai and his wife were on their saree shop their son-in-law informed that Ketan has committed suicide.
The victim’s father has handed over papers where names of five court officers – CK Trivedi, GJ Shah, RP Barot, KC Bhavsar and Bhati Saheb – have been written who allegedly harassed Ketan. “He had been depressed because of the castiest harassment and despite his leave getting over didn’t resume office.” He has said that this harassment was meted out to him for the past eight-nine months.
Danilimbda police inspector M K Rana said that “Ketan had dispute with five of his colleagues who are said to have been harassing. He was on leave and didn’t turn up to office despite notices issued by his office. His father has also said that about two months ago Ketan wrote five names on a paper saying they were harassing him.” Rana added that since the complaint has been lodged under SC/ST Atrocities Act the case has been transferred to to Assistant Commissioner of Police, K Division for investigation.

p 2 toi 5 apr 2016