On July 29, a Mahapanchayat was held in Nuh’s Kolgaon, Rajasthan in the memory of Rakbar Khan alias Akbar, who was lynched in Alwar over a week ago. The 31-year-old was beaten to death by a mob over the suspicion of cow smuggling. The Mahapanchayat was held “to promote peace and brotherhood”. The mahapanchayat demanded an immediate arrest of the accused including local BJP MLA Gyandev Ahuja and Naval Kishore Sharma, eyewitness and chief of VHP’s local Gau Raksha cell. The event was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Ali Anwar Ansari, Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav and senior leaders from Meo and ulemas (Muslim communities).

The Sunday event was organised by Rakbar Insaaf Committee, comprising 40 people from five villages. It was attended by hundreds from Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi. After a few discussions, the panchayat came up with their demands in accordance with the investigation of the case and the compensation to the victim’s family.

Compensation to the victim’s kin

According to the Indian Express, calling the compensation alloted by the Rajasthan government as meagre, Ramzan Choudhary, President of the All India Mewati Samaj said, “The family should be given a compensation of Rs 50 lakh by the Rajasthan government as well as a government job for Rakbar’s widow.”

He added that they (organisation) want the government to bear the expenses for the education for Rakbar’s seven children.

Demand for a proper probe

The mahapanchayat demanded that the investigation of the case should be carried out under the supervision of a sitting judge of the Supreme Court. They further said that the accused, including MLA Ahuja and Naval Kishore Sharma, should be booked as early as possible.

“The two should be arrested and a case registered against Ahuja under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy),” said Choudhary.

According to the Tribune, the Mahapanchayat member said that “Postmortem had proved that Ahuja’s men made every single injury on Akbar’s body. The leaders who raise such an army of goons and get innocent people killed should also be booked.”

The other demands

Other than the above demands, the mahapanchayat also urged the police to not harass the family of the victims in the name of investigation. In addition to that, they also asked the government to take steps to promote peace and harmony in the area by organising events like “sadbhavana yatra”.

“We are giving the government time until August 6 to fulfil these demands, failing which we will hold a bigger panchayat in Alwar,” said Choudhary.

Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav, who was present at the event venue, told the Indian Express, “Those occupying high positions are putting their hands on the shoulders of those who killed and giving them respect. Those who occupy high positions, was it not their duty to come among you all? Was it not their duty to say that we are with you in your pain?”

What happened to Akbar?

The 31-year-old, Akbar Khan, who was with his friend Aslam, was lynched by a mob on suspicion of cow smuggling on the night of July 20. The two were said to be herding two cows and their calves near Lalawandi, Alwar. Akbar’s friend managed to escape the attack, but Akbar lost his life to the mob lynching. After the lynching, the Rajasthan Police suspended an assistant sub-inspector and ordered three other constables to be sent to police lines for the delay in taking Rakbar to a hospital.

Also Read: “They Killed My Husband To Save Two Cows But Orphaned Seven Children”, Says Wife Of Alwar Lynching Victim