Jharkhand lynching case: Minister plays down alleged involvement of right-wing groups

CP Singh, minister in Jharkhand has said on Monday that it is wrong to politicise mob killings, like the incident in Saraikela-Kharsawan district where a 24-year-old, Tabrez Ansari was lynched to death allegedly for stealing a motorcycle.

The trend these days was to "associate such incidents with the BJP, RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal. It is a time of 'cut and paste' - who fits what words where is difficult to say,” said Singh.

"The trend to politicise such incidents is wrong... The government is conducting an investigation," the minister said.

Five men, allegedly part of the mob that attacked Tabrez Ansari on Tuesday, June 18, have been arrested and another one is on the run. Two police officers have also been suspended and a special investigation team has been formed.

The issue of the alleged involvement of right-wing groups was raised by the Opposition after the video which went viral, showed attackers forcing Tabrez Ansari to repeatedly chant "Jai Hanuman" and "Jai Shri Ram".

"This is the pattern with almost all lynchings. First, a Muslim is murdered by cow lovers. Then the most ridiculous excuses begin: a 'suspicion' of beef possession, theft, smuggling & love jihad. So much for sabka vishwas when we can be killed over mere 'suspicions',” tweeted Hyderabad politician Asaduddin Owaisi.

Tabrez Ansari was going home to Saraikela-Kharsawan's Karsova from Jamshedpur along with some friends on Tuesday, when they were attacked by a mob barely 5 km from home, a relative said.

Accused of stealing a two-wheeler, the man was tied to a pole and beaten for hours. He was handed over to the police only when he fell unconscious. Within hours, he was dead. The police said he had fallen ill and died at the Tata Main Hospital.

Family has alleged that despite their repeated appeals, the police did not arrange for proper treatment of Tabrez Ansari, and they were not even allowed to meet him, and that he died long before he was taken to a hospital.

They have demanded action against all concerned, including the police and the doctors.