NHRC registers case against police over false cases on Pedda Dhanwada farmers

The NHRC has registered a case against Rajoli police for allegedly filing false cases and assaulting Pedda Dhanwada farmers protesting an ethanol plant. The action follows a petition by senior advocate I. Rama Rao demanding accountability and compensation for the victims

Hyderabad: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has registered a case against police personnel who allegedly filed false cases against farmers of Pedda Dhanwada village in Jogulamba Gadwal district. The farmers had staged a protest against the establishment of an ethanol plant near their village, citing environmental and livelihood concerns.

Senior advocate I. Rama Rao, who filed the petition with the NHRC on June 5, confirmed the development on Monday. He alleged that Rajoli police had assaulted and falsely implicated the protesting farmers, and demanded action against those responsible along with compensation for the victims.

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“The NHRC, in its communication, informed me that it has registered a case (Reg. No. 854/36/2/2025) regarding the Pedda Dhanwada incident,” Rama Rao said.

Following the protest, 12 farmers were arrested and cases were registered against 40 others. The incident drew widespread criticism from civil society and rights activists.

Public outrage intensified on June 18 after visuals surfaced showing the arrested farmers being handcuffed and paraded to the Alampur court—even after bail had been granted. The images triggered a wave of condemnation on social media and renewed demands for police accountability.