On April 22, 2025, the Supreme Court of India expressed grave concerns regarding the alleged custodial death of a member of the Pardhi community in Madhya Pradesh. The Court questioned the state’s failure to arrest any police officers named in the First Information Report (FIR) filed under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code, despite a magisterial inquiry report from September 2024 concluding that the death was homicidal. The incident occurred in the Guna district, where the victim, a Pardhi man, was allegedly tortured in police custody .​

Justice Sandeep Mehta highlighted the systemic prejudice faced by the Pardhi community, noting that individuals from this community are often wrongfully implicated in multiple criminal cases across various districts. He emphasized that such practices are prevalent in the region, with individuals frequently charged with offenses like theft or dacoity under Sections 399 and 400 of the Indian Penal Code, based solely on their community background .

The Court also expressed its intention to summon the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Home Secretary of Madhya Pradesh to address the lack of action in the case. This development underscores ongoing concerns about the treatment of Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), who continue to face systemic discrimination and violence, despite legal protections .​

In a related case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigation into the alleged harassment and death of a Pardhi tribe woman in Madhya Pradesh. The High Court had previously criticized the police for not intervening to prevent the woman from self-immolating and for failing to conduct necessary forensic tests .​

These cases highlight the urgent need for reform and accountability in addressing the systemic issues faced by the Pardhi community and other DNTs in India.

Sources