Rakbar may have died in custody, says Rajasthan minister Gulab Chand Kataria
Alwar: Rajasthan home minister Gulab Chand Kataria said on Tuesday that evidence in the Rakbar Khan case suggested it was a custodial death and 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. “We have written to the additional chief judicial magistrate to initiate a probe,” Mr Kataria told reporters at a press conference here. 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. Meanwhile, Union home minister Rajnath Singh amid Opposition outcry over the growing number of such cases said on Tuesday that the government will enact a law, if necessary, to curb the incidents of lynching.
Also, the Union home ministry has asked all states to appoint a superintendent of police-level officer in each district, set up a special task force for gathering Intelligence and closely monitor social media contents, so that no one is attacked on the suspicion of being child-lifters or cattle-smugglers. An advisory has been sent to the states and Union territories following a Supreme Court directive.
Before leaving for Alwar, the home minister said: “It was a mistake by the police officer to keep the injured for so long in police station. He should have taken the injured to hospital in the first place instead of delivering cows to Gaushala. This is why he has been suspended and three others have been sent to police line.” The home minister accompanied by chief secretary, DGP and ACS home reached Alwar in the afternoon. They were scheduled to go to the site where Rakbar was allegedly lynched by a mob of self proclaimed cow protectors.
“We are going to the spot for inspection because it is being said that there were many people involved but according to our report there was only 5-6 people present when the incident took place,” he added. When asked about demand for judicial probe by BJP MLA from Ramgarh Gyan Dev Ahuja and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, the home minister said that necessary steps have been taken but after assessment of factual position whatever is needed will be done. Earlier, DGP O.P. Galhotra also held a meeting with senor police officials.
