HC takes serious note of social boycott of some villagers

Hyderabad: Justice B. Vijayasen Reddy of Telangana High Court on Monday directed the district collector and commissioner of police of Nizamabad district to take necessary steps with regard to the social boycott of some persons in Jakranpally village by a group of people styling themselves as village development committee (VDC) members.

The court was hearing a petition filed by A. Shankar Goud and four other Jakranpally village seeking protection from the unlawful social boycott imposed on them by the extra-constitutional VDC at the behest of T. Gangadhar, G. Ganga Reddy, T. Chinna Reddy, Rekkala Suresh and others.

V. Mallik, representing the petitioners, said his clients belonged to the Gouda community and eke out a living as toddy tappers. Not only were the self-styled VDC members preventing them from going about their work, but they also demanded ₹10 lakh from the victims. After the petitioners and other Gouda members rejected the demand, a social boycott was imposed by the VDC against the petitioners and others in October. They have been barred from receiving everyday necessities from other villagers. Those villagers who violate the diktat are being threatened with fines up to ₹25,000 per family.

When the government pleader informed that a FIR had been registered in this matter, Justice Reddy observed that government officials should warn of serious consequences against those indulging in such acts of excesses. He directed the official respondents to forthwith take action and put an end to the social boycott of the petitioners. He directed the counsel for petitioners to take out personal notice to the unofficial respondents and posted the case to January 30.