Amid the intense political bickering over the alleged lynching of Haryana resident Rakbar Khan in Alwar, leaders and activists of different groups have made conflicting claims about those responsible for the 31-year-old man’s death. In particular, the “custodial death” theory has been challenged following the arrest of three persons in the case.
While the BJP MLA from Ramgarh, Gyan Dev Ahuja, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have demanded the release of three persons arrested in the case, the Meo leaders of Alwar district have alleged that the theory of Rakbar dying in police custody had been floated to deflect attention from the “real killers” and protect the cow vigilantes.
The VHP and Bajrang Dal took out a protest march in Alwar on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum alleging that innocent activists of social organisations were being harassed during investigation. The memorandum, addressed to Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, pointed out that the State’s Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria himself had admitted the negligence and lapses of policemen.
‘Forcibly arrested’
Mr. Ahuja said the three accused – Dharmendra Yadav, Paramjeet Singh and Naresh Singh – were first called for giving information about the incident, but were later “forcibly arrested”. He demanded that a case of cow smuggling be registered against Rakbar’s friend Aslam, who escaped from the spot when the two persons were interrupted on the suspicion that they were taking two cows illegally to their village in Haryana on July 20 night.
Meo panchayat memo
However, Meo panchayat head Sher Mohammed said the entire blame was being shifted to the policemen in order to complicate the investigation and save the cow vigilantes. The Meo panchayat has also submitted a memorandum to the Alwar Collector with the demand for arrest of all the guilty persons and speedy justice in the case.
The Aam Aadmi Party’s State unit has demanded the resignation of Mr. Kataria, saying he had failed to control law and order.
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