Used the term ‘Harijan’: AIMIM leader booked under SC/ST Act

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A case has been registered against AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly using the term `Harijan', PTI reported citing police account.

The First Information Report was registered at the Kranti Chowk police station here on Thursday after a Republican Party of India (Athawale) worker lodged a complaint against Jaleel, a former MP and present state unit head of the All India Majlis E Ittehadul Muslimeen, said an official.

Jaleel, at a press conference on June 11, had made allegations against social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat regarding a land transaction.

The minister belongs to an SC community, and Jaleel used the word `Harijan' repeatedly and thus `disrespected' the community, the complaint claimed.

The FIR was registered under section 3 (1) (r) of the SC, ST Act for allegedly `insulting or intimidating a member of a scheduled caste or scheduled tribe with an intent to humiliate, within a public view,' said the police official.

Jaleel had accused Shirsat and his family of acquiring valuable land parcels at unusually low prices across Maharashtra, including prime areas in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Shajapur, and Trimbakeshwar, Times of India reported. According to Jaleel Shirsat, a 12,000 sqft plot near the district court on Jalna Road in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was obtained at Rs 4,800 per sqft from Omkar and Jabinda builders. He claimed that the property Shirsat purchased in the name of his wife Vijaya Shirsat and son Siddhant Shirsat in 2025 was bought for Rs 5.8 crore, which is a rate significantly below the prevailing market value.

Jaleel also alleged that a substantial govt land in Shajapur was acquired by Shirsat's sons, Siddhant and Tushar, at minimal costs, TOI reported.