Married outside caste: Man alleges ‘social boycott’, nine booked

This is the fourth case registered under this Act in the city. (Representational image)

A 39-year-old man has registered an offence with Khadki police for alleged social boycott of his family by the caste panchayat of Telgu Pareet community over his inter-caste marriage. An FIR has been registered in this regard by Ajit Ramchandra Chinchane, a resident of Vishrantwadi who works at a carpentry shop in Narayan Peth. Based on his complaint, police have booked nine members belonging to the community under sections of Maharashtra Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act.

This is the fourth case registered under this Act in the city. The Act was passed by the state legislature in April 2016 and took effect from July 2017. Punishment for an offence under this Act includes a fine of upto Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment of upto seven years, or both.

In his statement to the police, Chinchane said he and Asha, who belongs to a different caste, got married in 1999. “I have been boycotted from the community, its gatherings and marriage ceremonies, since my marriage. My children were also not allowed to participate in various activities. In 2013, I had written to the panchayat, urging them to take me back in the community, but nothing happened.”

Chinchane added that finally he decided to file a complaint. Police have identified the suspects as Ganesh Nimkar, Prashant Angir, Prakash Pimpalkar, Sudhir Pimpalkar, Vilas Chinchane, Umakant Belitkar, Babulal Yelpur, Kishor Garsund and Anil Telang.