In a big blow to the police department and the ruling BJP government in Rajasthan, state Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said that Akbar Khan – who was attacked by a mob on Friday night on suspicion of smuggling cows – died in police custody. He also ordered a magisterial enquiry.
After inspecting the lynching spot in Alwar on Tuesday, Kataria told media, “Evidence collected by a high-level police team suggests it is a custodial death. Akbar Khan (31) died in police custody.”
There were reports that the police took Akbar, alias Rakbar, to hospital after a three-hour delay.
“We have found out that the cows were first taken to the gaushala (shelter house). Police shouldn’t have done that,” the minister said. He ordered additional chief judicial magistrate Rajgarh to conduct an enquiry.
Kataria also met the victim’s family and announced a compensation of Rs 1.25 lakh. “The family is satisfied with the investigation. I have assured them that the guilty will be caught and that there will be a fair trial,” Kataria said.
Injuries all over body
The post-mortem report on Tuesday revealed that Akbar Khan died of shock after sustaining injuries all over the body from a “blunt weapon or object”.
According to the report, he had fractured bones on one hand and leg. There were 12 injury marks on the body. His leg and wrist were fractured.
Akbar’s companion Aslam, who escaped the attack, said in a written statement to police that around five men beat Akbar with sticks which led to severe injuries on his arms and legs.
On Monday, the Rajasthan Police suspended assistant sub inspector Mohan Singh and sent three constables to police lines for delay in taking Akbar to hospital.
The Ramgarh Police have so far arrested three men suspected to be involved in the attack. Naresh Singh (28), Dharmendra Yadav (24) and Paramjeet Singh (28) were sent to police custody for five days.
Four enquiries in four days
There have been four enquiries in four days in the case, raising questions about the functioning of the Rajasthan Police. On Sunday night, a day after Akbar’s death, taking cognizance of reports about delayed police response, the case was shifted outside Alwar. Vandana Bhatti, additional SP, crime & vigilance, Jaipur range, was made the investigation officer.
On Monday, the Rajasthan Police formed high-level team of four senior officers led by special DG (law & order) N R K Reddy to probe the case. And on Tuesday, Home Minister Kataria ordered a magisterial enquiry after admitting that Akbar died in police custody. DH
