14 Villagers Booked for Social Boycotting a Family in Raigad Over Land Dispute

In a significant development, 14 individuals from Borli Panchatan village in Raigad district have been booked by the police for allegedly subjecting a local family to social boycott. The incident, which has been ongoing since August 2025, stems from a land dispute that has escalated to the point of community isolation.

According to the police, the complainant, a resident of Rohidas Housing Society, has been under pressure to vacate a portion of open land he occupies. The dispute intensified when the owner of an adjoining plot filed a civil suit in a Shrivardhan court, claiming ownership of the land in the complainant’s possession. The matter was then discussed by the housing society committee and the broader Rohidas community.

During a community meeting, the accused allegedly demanded that the complainant vacate the land. They issued a warning that if the land was not returned to the society, members of the Rohidas community would be instructed to stop visiting his residence. Following this, the complainant and his family were allegedly subjected to a social boycott, with community members being restrained from maintaining social contact with them.

The social boycott has had a significant impact on the family, isolating them from their community and causing emotional distress. On Sunday, the family approached the police, who subsequently registered a case against the 14 accused individuals under relevant sections of the Maharashtra Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The Maharashtra Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, enacted in 2016, aims to prevent and penalize social boycotts that are used as a means of coercion or punishment. The Act defines social boycott as any act of social ostracism, refusal to participate in social, religious, or community functions, and other forms of social exclusion.

The case highlights the ongoing challenges of land disputes in rural areas and the potential for such disputes to escalate into community-wide conflicts. The police have stated that they are committed to ensuring that the rights of all parties are protected and that justice is served.

Community leaders and legal experts have emphasized the importance of addressing land disputes through legal channels and avoiding measures that can lead to social ostracism. They have called for increased awareness and education about the implications of social boycotts and the legal protections available to victims.

The family involved in the dispute has expressed hope that the legal action will bring an end to the social isolation they have been facing and allow them to return to a normal life within their community. The police are currently investigating the case to gather further evidence and ensure that all aspects of the dispute are thoroughly examined.

This incident serves as a reminder of the critical role that law enforcement and community leaders play in maintaining social harmony and ensuring that disputes are resolved in a fair and just manner.