Dalit Man Lynched in Palamu Village, Police Probe Love Angle Amid Theft Allegations
In a shocking incident, a 25-year-old Dalit man was brutally lynched by a mob on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday at Telyahi village in Palamu district, according to police reports. The victim, identified as Pawan Kumar, was tied to a leg of a wooden cot and mercilessly beaten, leading to his death. Authorities have detained one person in connection with the crime, while investigations are ongoing from multiple angles.
Police Response and Initial Findings
Parwa police station officer-in-charge Anchit Kumar stated that they received a distress call around midnight, alleging that a youth was being assaulted on suspicion of attempting to steal a tractor battery. A patrol team promptly reached the village and found Kumar tied up and surrounded by an aggressive mob. Police intervened, rescued him, and rushed him to the Medinirai Medical College and Hospital in Daltonganj around 4.06 am. Tragically, doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Palamu SP Reeshma Ramesan emphasized that no battery was recovered from the victim, describing the theft allegation as "unfounded" and a "deception" intended to mislead the police. Instead, investigators are probing a possible "love angle," as Kumar was allegedly lured to the spot by a girl. Police sources suspect the killing may be linked to a personal relationship, potentially involving members of the girl's family and their associates. Kumar, a resident of nearby Kokarsa village, was reportedly called to Telyahi under suspicious circumstances.
Legal Actions and Victim Support
An FIR has been lodged by the victim's father, Manoj Ram, with Parwa police station, and the case has been registered under Section 103(2) of the BNS, which pertains to mob lynching. Police have withheld the names of the accused, citing concerns that they could abscond. In a move to provide justice and support, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) has stepped in. Under the direction of chairman Ram Sharma, who is also the principal district and sessions judge, para-legal volunteer Pankaj Pathak will visit the family to initiate and provide interim victim compensation.
DLSA secretary Rakesh Ranjan confirmed that the family will receive comprehensive legal assistance. Additionally, the post-mortem was video-graphed to ensure transparency and proper documentation of the evidence. This tragic event highlights ongoing issues of mob violence and caste-based discrimination in the region, with authorities urging a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and deliver justice.
