Alwar ‘Lynching’ Looks Like Custodial Death, Says Rajasthan HM

31-year-old Akbar Khan was allegedly ‘lynched’ by a mob in Rajasthan’s Alwar on suspicion of cow smuggling.

Akbar Khan 

(Photo courtesy: The Free Press Journal)

Rajasthan’s Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said on Tuesday, 24 July, that the Alwar ‘lynching’ looks like a custodial death. Speaking to ANI he said:

According to the evidence we have collected, it looks like a custodial death. Further investigation is underway.   

Kataria also said the victim’s family seems to be satisfied with the action that has been taken so far.

I met the victim’s family and they told me that they are satisfied with the action taken so far. I told them to come and meet me whenever they want if they want to tell me something more.

Gulab Chand Kataria, Home Minister, Rajasthan

Thirty-one-year-old Akbar Khan was allegedly lynched by a mob in Rajasthan’s Alwar on suspicion of cow smuggling on Friday, 20 July.

On Tuesday, his post mortem report revealed that the cause of death was shock as a result of the ante-mortem injuries. Akbar Khan had reportedly sustained 12 injuries and his hands and legs were found broken.

Three accused – Dharmendra Yadav, Paramjeet Singh and Naresh Singh – have been arrested in connection with the incident and placed under police custody for five days. An Assistant sub-inspector was suspended and three other constables were sent to police lines for “delay” in taking Akbar Khan to the hospital. The action was taken after a video purportedly showed ASI Mohan Singh admitting to his “mistake” went viral.

The Supreme Court has said it will hear a plea seeking action against the Rajasthan government for failing to protect the victim in the case.