BJP MP to Pay Legal Fees for Four Accused in Jharkhand Lynching

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey will pay legal expenses for four men accused of lynching two Muslim men in Jharkhand.

Image used for representational purposes only.

(Photo: The Quint)

Just days after four people were arrested in Jharkhand over allegations of lynching two men, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey has said he will pay for the legal expenses of the accused. Speaking to NDTV, Dubey, who is a representative of the Godda constituency in Jharkhand, said his decision was a personal one.

The entire village was involved in the beating. Why are these four people being singled out just because their cattle was stolen?

Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP to NDTV

Two Muslim men, who have been identified to be 35-year-old Sirabuddin Ansari and 30-year-old Murtaza Ansari were beaten to death on 13 June after they were suspected to have stolen cattle from Dullu village.

Once the villagers raised an alarm, the duo were caught while three others who accompanied them managed to escape the mob. The two men were then brutally beaten to death.

Police have registered two FIRs in the case. NDTV quoted Superintendent of Police Rajiv Ranjan as saying that one of the FIRs was filed by a suspect in the case – Munsi Murmu. He filed a case of theft. The other complaint was filed by Imran Ansari, the father of one of the lynched men for rioting and murder among other charges. 

Ranjan told NDTV that there have been cases of cattle theft filed against one of the victims in the past too.

The four accused who are now in police custody are Munsi Murmu, Kameshwar Soren, Kishan Rai and Bhukul Kishku. 100 other unknown persons are yet to be arrested in the case, police are on the lookout for them.