On April 22, the Supreme Court expressed deep concern over how members of the Pardhi tribal community are frequently and wrongly implicated in criminal cases across Madhya Pradesh. The Court particularly questioned the State's failure to arrest any police officers in a custodial death case despite an FIR and a magisterial report confirming the incident as a homicidal death.
"Do you have some idea of the background of his caste and how such people are entangled in these cases?" — Justice Sandeep Mehta
A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta was hearing an appeal against a Madhya Pradesh High Court order that had denied bail to Gangu alias Gangaram, the sole eyewitness in the case. Gangu, who is also the uncle of the deceased, was allegedly tortured by the police to withdraw his statement.
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When the State counsel highlighted Gangu's past criminal cases, the Court noted that such accusations are often used to discredit tribal individuals. Justice Mehta remarked that in several parts of Madhya Pradesh, it is a common practice to falsely involve Pardhi tribe members in theft and dacoity charges.
"Mostly theft, then you have that weapon of S. 399-400... paanch aadmi baith kar baat kar rahe the?! Standard practice." — Justice Mehta
The Court noted that although the magisterial report had been submitted in September 2024 and an FIR under Section 302 IPC was registered, no police officer had been arrested even by April 2025.
"Very serious allegation has been made… despite an FIR under S. 302, no arrest has been made." — Supreme Court Order
The Court, showing its disapproval, even considered summoning the Director General of Police and the Home Secretary of Madhya Pradesh. However, on the request of the State counsel, it granted two days to provide instructions and scheduled the matter for hearing on Friday.
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The case involves Deva Pardi, the deceased victim, allegedly tortured and murdered by police officers of Myana Police Station and Jhagar Chowki. His mother, the petitioner, sought an impartial investigation and had demanded a CBI probe or investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
In the High Court, the petitioner also requested that police officials stop contacting her family and Gangu. It was also prayed that Gangu be shifted to house arrest, examined medically, and that CCTV footage from Guna Government Civil Hospital between 20.11.2024 and 02.12.2024 be preserved.
While the High Court did not grant bail, it ordered the transfer of Gangu to Central Jail, Gwalior, and directed the Director General of Prisons and Inspector General of Prisons to ensure his safety. If any threat was found, swift action against the responsible jail officials was to be taken.
This incident has once again spotlighted the deep-rooted institutional bias against the Pardhi tribe, historically labeled as criminal during colonial rule under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871. Though repealed in 1952, the stigma persists, often resulting in systemic injustice for the community.
Case Details : HANSURA BAI AND ANR. Versus THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND ANR.| SLP(Crl) No. 3450/2025
