UP Youth Set Ablaze for ‘Refusing to Chant Jai Shri Ram’ Dies
A 16-year-old Muslim boy had claimed that he was kidnapped and set ablaze for not chanting “Jai Shri Ram.”
Video producer: Hera Khan
Video editor: Mohd Ibrahim
A 16-year-old Muslim boy in Uttar Pradesh’s Chandauli district who alleged that he was set on fire by four men for not chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” passed away on Tuesday, 30 July, said police officials.
However, just a day earlier the UP police said he had been giving contradictory statements which they suspect were “tutored” versions.
WHAT THE BOY CLAIMED
The boy told reporters, "I was walking on Dudhari bridge when four men kidnapped me. Two of them tied my hand and third one started pouring kerosene. After which they set me on fire and ran away”.
He has sustained 45 percent burns on his body and is admitted to Varanasi’s Kabir Chaura hospital.
WHAT THE POLICE CLAIMS
The Uttar Pradesh Police has, however, said he has given three contradictory statements mentioning three different locations. “We have retrieved CCTV footages from the three places he has mentioned. None of the videos traces back to him. However, when we checked another place, he was identified in the CCTV footage and by an eyewitness,” SP Chandauli said.
He said the eyewitness claimed he had set himself on fire. “His statements seem suspicious and tutored,” the SP added.
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