Alwar lynching: Before taking victim to hospital, Rajasthan cops took cows to shelter

Shocking details have emerged in the recent mob lynching incident in Rajasthan’s Alwar after media reports revealed the 'callous' approach of the cops who before taking the injured to a hospital ensured that the cows reach a shelter home.

The Rajasthan police set up a high-level committee to probe the allegations of delay against the Alwar police in taking Rakbar Khan to a hospital after he was allegedly lynched by a group of people of suspicion of cow smuggling. Photo: ANI (File)

NEW DELHI: Shocking details have emerged in the recent mob lynching incident in Rajasthan’s Alwar after a CCTV footage revealed the 'callous' approach of the cops who before taking the injured to a hospital ensured that the cows reach a shelter home. The cows were police’s priority over an injured Akbar, alias Rakbar Khan, who was thrashed by a group of people who accused him of smuggling cows. It is alleged that when the incident happened in Lalawandi village in Alwar, it took over two-and-a-half hours for the police to take the victim to the Ramgarh Community Healthcare Centre, which is nearly 4 km away. The cops first took the two cows to a gaushala 10km away from the spot, before taking the victim to the hospital. By the time Rakbar was taken to the hospital, he had already died. Not only this, the policemen allegedly stopped on the way to have tea before heading to the hospital. What happened on Friday night Akbar, along with his friend Aslam, were taking cows to their villages in Haryana through a forest area in Ramgarh area of Alwar, where they caught by a group of people. Aslam had managed to flee from there. A social worker of the region, Vijay Kumar, told IANS that Akbar and Aslam were taking bovines from the fields at midnight. When the animals cried out, some villagers came out and thrashed Akbar. Aslam, who had a narrow escape told ANI, "We both were going with our two cows. Upon seeing a speeding bike the cows ran into the fields where six-seven people were present, who fired at us. I ran away from the spot to save my life, later found that my friend was killed."

#Rajasthan: We both were going with our 2 cows, on seeing a speeding bike the cows ran into the fields where 6-7 people were present who fired at us, I ran away from the spot to save my life, later found that my friend was killed: Aslam, eye witness in Alwar lynching case pic.twitter.com/tfKujMS8We

— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2018

As per the FIR lodged with Ramgarh police station on Saturday, Naval Kishore Sharma, the chief of VHP's "Gau Raksha" cell in Ramgarh, had informed the police at 12.41 am (on Saturday) about the incident. Police reached the spot at around 1.15 am. Akbar's statement was recorded and he was taken to police station. As per the CHC entry register, a body of a 28-year-old male was brought at 4.00 am. High-level enquiry ordered to probe allegations against police The Rajasthan police have also set up a high-level committee to probe the allegations of delay against the Alwar police in taking Akbar Khan to a hospital. It will also be probed whether the 28-year-old Akbar, alias Rakbar Khan, became a victim of police beating on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. Questioning the role of the police, local Ramgarh MLA Gyan Dev Ahuja has demanded a judicial inquiry to find out if Rakbar was lynched by a mob or beaten to death by police. Following the allegation, the probe into the alleged lynching incident was handed over to Additional SP (Crime and Vigilance), Jaipur Range. "The investigation will be carried out in a fair and transparent manner," IG, Jaipur Range, Hemant Priyadarshi had said. Centre seeks report from Rajasthan govt  The Home Ministry asked the Rajasthan government to provide details of the incident, the action taken to punish those involved in it and the steps taken to restore peace. The report has been sought as early as possible. Rajasthan police support cow vigilantes: Asaduddin Owaisi Hitting out at the Rajasthan police, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi claimed that state police is supporting cow vigilantes. He further said that Gau Rakshaks and police are hand-in-glove in this incident. "I am not surprised by Rajasthan police's actions, they did the same in Pehlu Khan murder case," said Owaisi told ANI. (With additional inputs from agencies)