Jaipur: What can be called as yet another preposterous example of injustice meet out to Pehlu Khan a victim of pro-hindutva violence orchestrated by Gau-Rakshaks (Cow Vigilantes), the Rajasthan police here on Thursday acquitted six persons named in the case pertaining to 55-years old Pehlu Khan’s murder.
Nine other accused in the case, however, continue to face criminal charges, officials reportedly said.
Victim Pehlu Khan being lynched by a Gau rakshak dal. (A video Grab)
The six accused given clean chit by the Rajasthan Police are stated to be clearly seen in the video clip showing thrashing of the victim by the mob in the name of Gau-rakhsa, the incident took place in April this year. According to the version given by the state Police in this case the six had been absolved in the case on the basis of evidence. The victim’s son, however, termed it a “betrayal” and asserted that the family would seek another probe, media sources said.
“Six persons have been given a clean chit in the investigation into the Pehlu Khan case. Nine others, however, will face criminal charges,” ADG (CID-CB), Pankaj Kumar Singh reportedly said.
The clean chit was given on the basis of statements of those present at the scene of the crime, photographs and mobile phone location records, he adds.
Those absolved were Hukum Chand, Om Prakash, Sudhir Yadav, Rahul Saini, Navin Sharma and Jagmal Yadav, he further stated.
The ‘Pehlu Khan lynching case’, which triggered a massive furore, was handed over to the crime investigation department-crime branch (CID-CB) in July. The CB-CID had on September 1, handed over its report to the Alwar police, a police official was quoted saying by an English vernacular.
On the other hand distressed on the latest development in this case Pehlu Khan’s son Irshad, who was with him at the time of the assault, retorted that the family would fight till the last breath to get justice.
“This is betrayal. We heard the names (of the accused) when they attacked. How can they be given clean chit? We will seek an inquiry again,” he said in a statement given to the media.
Interestingly, Pehlu Khan’s son is of the view that the six accused so released by the state police can be clearly seen thrashing his father during the mob violence by pro-hindutva elements. If they are still let off in this case then the question arises who killed him ?? notes The Tribune (TT).