Alwar lynching: Rakbar Khan died in police custody, says Rajasthan home minister

Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria on Tuesday visited Ramgarh in Alwar district to inspect the spot where a man was allegedly lynched on suspicion of cow smuggling and inquire about the lapses that occurred.

Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria. Photo: ANI

ALWAR: Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria on Tuesday visited Ramgarh in Alwar district to inspect the spot where a man was allegedly lynched on suspicion of cow smuggling and inquire about the lapses that occurred. Before leaving Ramgarh, Katariya, on the basis of evidence collected, told the media that 28-year-old Rakbar Khan died in police custody. "According to the evidence we have collected, it looks like a custodial death. Further investigation is underway," the minister said. Kataria said he met the victim's family and they are satisfied with the action 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 or if they want to tell me something more," he said. Kataria said the state government has taken steps to get a judicial probe conducted He also said an initial compensation of Rs 1.25 lakh had been ordered for the family of the deceased. In cases of custodial death, a committee constituted at the district level takes decisions regarding compensation to the family members of the deceased, Kataria said. He said a sessions judge normally heads such a committee. On the lines of the Pehlu Khan's lynching case, the state government has ordered a compensation of Rs 1.25 lakh to Rakbar Khan's family. Further compensation will be provided based on the recommendations of the district legal committee, he added. On Saturday, Rakbar and his friend Aslam were taking cows to their villages in Haryana through a forest area in Alwar's Ramgarh, where they were caught by a group of people. While Aslam managed to flee, Rakbar was allegedly thrashed brutally by the group. The police have arrested three people suspected to be involved in the attack on Khan. Under fire for a delay in taking Khan to the hospital, the Rajasthan Police set up a four-member committee to probe the allegations. The panel ordered the suspension of the then assistant sub-inspector posted at the Ramgarh police station, Mohan Singh, and transferred three others to police lines. The Rajasthan Police had on Monday admitted "error of judgement" in handling the case. "Since the policemen thought the victim was not serious, they decided to take him to the police station first so that the cows could be first shifted to a shelter. They also offered him water and tea, so it appeared an error of judgment," Additional Director General (law and order) N R K Reddy had said. (With inputs from PTI)