– Zaina Aman
26 Jun. 24: In a significant development, Chhattisgarh Police have apprehended two additional suspects in relation to the brutal lynching of three Muslim men by a Hindutva mob earlier this month in Raipur, the state capital. This brings the total number of arrests in the case to four.
The latest detainees, identified as Navin Singh Thakur and Mayank Sharma from Mahasamund, were taken into custody on Tuesday. Thakur works as a driver, while Sharma is involved in goods transportation, according to reports citing police sources. Earlier arrests included Harsh Mishra and Raja Agarwal on June 22 and June 23 respectively. Agarwal notably serves as the PR head of BJP Yuva Morcha in Mahasamund district.
The incident, which occurred on June 7, saw Saddam Qureshi (23), Guddu Khan (35), and Chand Miya Khan (23) brutally attacked while transporting cattle. The assault took place on the Mahanadi river bridge in Arang, where the victims were confronted by the cow vigilante mob. Despite efforts by authorities, two victims succumbed to their injuries on the same day, while Saddam Qureshi, the lone survivor and eyewitness, tragically passed away on June 18.
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Criticism has surfaced regarding the charges filed against the accused, who are currently booked under Section 304 of the IPC for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Legal experts and activists argue that the severity of the crime warrants stronger charges, potentially under the provisions of murder, emphasizing the need for justice as per Supreme Court guidelines on lynching cases.
The families of the deceased and locals have intensified pressure for swift and comprehensive legal action against the perpetrators. The community outcry underscores broader concerns about communal violence and the implementation of stringent penalties for those found guilty in such cases.
The developments in this case continue to unfold amidst ongoing public scrutiny and demands for justice.
