Gujarat MLA of Vadgam constituency Jignesh Mevani urged the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan to take swift action in a case involving a Dalit man being allegedly beaten to death in Hanumangarh district last week.
According to PTI, the man was attacked because of his alleged affair with a woman. On October 7, the woman’s husband and 10 others had abducted the man, beat him with sticks and then left the body outside his home. The man died before his family could take action.
On Tuesday, Mevani tweeted a purported video of the incident and said, “Extremely disturbing incident being reported from Rajasthan where a poor Dalit man was brutally murdered. “A quick action must be taken and culprits be brought to book immediately. I request Rajasthan government to take this on priority. This barbarism isn’t allowed anywhere,” he added.
As per reports by the Hindustan Times, the Rajasthan police have arrested four accused persons for the alleged killing so far. A minor has been detained. Additional Director General of Police (Crime) Ravi Prakash told news agency PTI that a case has been filed for kidnapping and murder in connection with the incident.
The Dalit man’s killing in the state has triggered outrage from several Opposition leaders. On Tuesday, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said that the Congress-led Rajasthan government had been silent about the case.
Mayawati said, “An FIR [first information report] has been registered in connection with this murder case of after three days [of the incident]. The family of the victim seems less likely to get justice from the government. Therefore, like the Lakhimpur Kheri case, it would be better if the Supreme Court takes suo moto cognisance of it.”
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said his government took quick action in the case. Criticizing the BJP, he said that some of its members had no sense of how to react to an incident, PTI reported.
“Nobody has gone to the house of the dead. They are sitting here and want to remain in news,” Gehlot said.
