Alwar-lynching: Action against four cops due to 'error in judgment'
What's the story
The post-mortem report of Alwar lynching victim Rakbar has confirmed he died of "shock as a result of ante-mortem (before death) injuries." It reported 13 injuries due to the attack. "Visceras are preserved to rule out any intoxication prior to death or pre-existing disease," doctors added. Meanwhile, action has been taken against four cops due to "error in judgement" in handling the case.
Friend says
Rakbar's friend, who accompanied him to Alwar, narrates what happened
According to Rakbar's friend Aslam, the duo visited Lalavandi village in Alwar on July 20 to buy cows. After reaching Lalavandi, they bought the cows and started the journey back home. Suddenly, some locals started shouting about cow smugglers. Aslam managed to escape, but Rakbar, who was holding the cows, was trapped. The men fired guns first and then beat him till cops arrived.
Do you know?
FIR said police took victim to hospital directly
The FIR mentions that police received the first call about the incident at 12:41am. When they reached the crime scene, Rakbar was injured and muddied. They washed him, questioned him briefly, and then directly took him to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
Witnesses speak
Witnesses allege police stopped for tea, arranged transport for cows
Witnesses have a different account. VHP member Naval Sharma, who was accompanying police, told IE their first stop after picking up Rakbar was to arrange a three-wheeler to transport the cows. The cops then started for the police-station, but stopped for tea on the way. When Sharma finally reached the station, Rakbar had collapsed. Medical records showed his body was brought in at 4am.
Controversy
Minister adds to controversy, compares current case to 1984 riots
The role of political influence is also in question. Aslam said in his statement to police that the attackers claimed an MLA's support and said they "couldn't be harmed." Minister of State (Finance) Arjun Ram Meghwal added fuel. "As Modi's popularity rises, such incidents will keep being reported," he said. He also called the 1984 riots "the nation's biggest mob-lynching," trying to shift blame.
Police
Police claims 'error in judgement,' but suspend a cop,transfer three
Police have now responded to the allegations, saying there had been an "error in judgment" by those who went to rescue Rakbar. Special Director General NRK Reddy claimed that when cops reached Rakbar, he seemed fine, and they didn't know he had critical internal injuries. But ASI Mohan Singh has been suspended, and three cops shifted to police lines. Meanwhile, the case has been moved to Jaipur.
Cases
The SC recently took cognizance, lashing out at the government
This is the third such case in Rajasthan in a year. In April'17, a mob killed dairy farmer Pehlu Khan, who was transporting cattle. Police later found he had valid permits. In November, the body of Umar Mohammed, allegedly lynched, was found on railway tracks. Recently, the SC took cognizance, giving the Centre four weeks to come up with a law on such crimes.