The Supreme Court on 14 July, Thursday, rejected the plea to CBI investigation into the anti-naxal operation in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada in 2009 carried out by Chhattisgarh Police and central security forces which reportedly killed 17 Tribals. 

Activist Himanshu Kumar who filed the petition has also been fined five lakhs rupees which is to be deposited within 4 weeks. If failed to do so, further actions will be taken. A bench of justices A M Khanwilkar and J B Pardiwala announced the sentence citing misuse of the judicial process. 

“Has it become a crime to seek justice for tribals in New India?” -Hansraj Meena

“Today the Supreme Court has imposed a fine of five lakhs on me for demanding justice for the 16 tribals who were killed. A hand of a one and half year old child was chopped off, too. Five lakhs? I don’t even have five thousand rupees. I am sure to go to jail,” says Himanshu Kumar.

Kumar claimed that his petition is based on the testimonies he received from the villagers and victims’ family members.

Tribal Army founder, Hansraj Meena asks if it has become a crime to seek justice for tribals in new India.