Sri Vijaya Puram, July 28: In a significant development in the case involving alleged caste-based remarks against members of the Valmiki community, the Calcutta High Court has cancelled the anticipatory bail of Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC) Ward No. 6 councillor Aziz-ur-Rehman, popularly known as Niyamat, and directed him to surrender before the competent court within seven days.
The High Court’s order comes days after the Andaman and Nicobar Police challenged the anticipatory bail granted to the councillor by the Sessions Court at Sri Vijaya Puram in connection with a case registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has issued a notice to the Director General of Police, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, directing the police to submit an Action Taken Report within 10 days on a complaint alleging that SVPMC councillor Aziz-ur-Rehman abused and insulted members of the Scheduled Caste community. The Commission said it has initiated an inquiry under Article 338 of the Constitution.
The case stems from allegations that Aziz-ur-Rehman made derogatory caste-based remarks against members of the Valmiki community following an altercation in Sri Vijaya Puram. Based on a complaint lodged by Sher Singh and others, the police had registered a non-bailable FIR under the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The complainants alleged that the councillor used abusive language and referred to members of the community as “low people.” The allegations remain under investigation.
The controversy first surfaced after members of the Valmiki community demanded legal action against the councillor, alleging that he had insulted members of the Scheduled Caste community in the aftermath of a clash between two groups. They had urged the police to invoke the SC/ST Act, leading to the registration of the FIR.
The matter unfolded against the backdrop of the politically sensitive dispute over free-roaming pigs in several parts of Sri Vijaya Puram. Aziz-ur-Rehman had emerged as one of the most vocal public representatives demanding stricter enforcement against free-roaming pigs, citing concerns over sanitation, public health and public safety. The issue, however, evolved into a broader political controversy, with rival groups exchanging allegations over civic governance, livelihoods and selective enforcement.
Following the FIR, police stated that repeated efforts to contact Aziz-ur-Rehman for investigation were unsuccessful, alleging that his mobile phone remained switched off. The councillor later obtained anticipatory bail from the Sessions Court, prompting the Andaman and Nicobar Police to move the Calcutta High Court seeking cancellation of the relief.
With the High Court now cancelling the anticipatory bail and directing Aziz-ur-Rehman to surrender within seven days, the investigation is expected to proceed in accordance with law.
