Jharkhand: Muslim man lynched, 11 people held, two cops suspended
A Muslim man identified as Shams Tabrez Ansari died on Saturday (June 22) in Jharkhand, days after a mob tied him to a pole and brutally thrashed him. Ansari's death has once again brought the spotlight on crippling law and order situation in the country. Facing criticism from several quarters, Jharkhand police suspended two cops and arrested 11 men so far. Here's what happened.
The shameful incident took place on Tuesday (June 18) at Dhatkidih village of Seraikela-Kharsawan district. Accompanied by his friends Sheikh Imran and Numer Ali, Ansari was returning from Jamshedpur when they were attacked by a mob. The group claimed the trio allegedly stole a bike. While Imran and Ali managed to escape, Ansari wasn't lucky enough and the mob beat him.
What happened next is sure to send chills down anyone's spine. The ruthless mob tied Ansari to an electric pole and beat him for hours. Ansari's family members claimed the mob forced him to chant "Jai Shri Ram" and "Jai Hanuman". A video of the incident was widely circulated in the area. Once they were done with him, they handed Ansari over to police.
Ansari, who had been working in Pune for the last nine years and got married just 45 days ago, was badly bruised when he was taken to police. Police took him to government-run Sadar Hospital where he was reportedly declared "medically fit". Cops then took him to a court where magistrate sent him to prison on the same day. But Ansari wasn't keeping well.
"I cannot believe that he never said anything to the police about the beating. The police deliberately left it out. Were the police blind that they did not see that he was badly beaten? Why could the doctors not see his pain?" Ansari's uncle Maqsood Alam told IE.
Though Ansari's condition was deteriorating, police took him to the Sadar hospital only after four days, on June 22. His family reached the hospital and took him to Jamshedpur's Tata Main Hospital (TMH) where he was declared brought dead. Ansari's bereaved wife Shahista Parveen said, "He was mercilessly beaten as he was Muslim. I don't have anybody, no in-laws. My husband was my only support. I want justice."
Subsequently, an SIT, being headed by inspector TN Singh, was formed to probe the case. Meanwhile, Seraikela-Kharsawan's SP, Kartik S, said, "Kharsawan OC (officers-in-charge) Chandra Mohaon Oraon and Sini OC Bipin Behari Singh have been suspended. I am personally investigating the alleged lapses and negligence." On Monday, four more accused namely Kamal Mahato, Premchand Mahali, Bheem Mandal and Sonmau Pradhan were arrested.
Though some action has been taken, there are many questions which are left unanswered. Kamal Mahato, who is now in custody, filed a complaint against Ansari alleging theft. But the brutal assault wasn't mentioned in the FIR. Meanwhile, Alam said even if his nephew stole the bike, he shouldn't have been treated like this. The SIT is supposed to submit its report by Wednesday.
