Junaid murder: Palwal villagers seek release of lynching accused

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Palwal, June 30

Over 150 residents of Khambi village in Palwal district held a panchayat today and resented the arrest of four youths from the village recently in connection with the lynching of 16-year-old Junaid Khan, a resident of Khandawali village, on a train on June 22. They demanded the immediate release of all accused and sought setting up of a special investigating team (SIT) for an independent probe into the case.

Haridutt, husband of the village sarpanch, presided over the meeting. He later claimed at a press conference here that the four youths arrested from the village on June 28 are innocent and have no role in Junaid’s murder. He said the manner in which the police swooped down on the village and arrested the four suspects was objectionable. Policemen allegedly misbehaved with women and children.

Rajbir, another villager, claimed that the charge of communal attack on the victims was baseless as the actual dispute was regarding a seat in the train. The arrested youths had no animosity towards anyone and have no criminal background, he added.

The panchayat demanded a probe into the case and tracing of calls made by the victims and their relatives before the stabbing incident on the train. It was claimed at the panchayat that the arrested youths did not carry the knife used in the crime and the police should find the accused who brought it at the Ballabagarh railway station, where the incident took place.

The villagers also demanded a CBI inquiry, if the state government thinks it fit. The arrested youths are on a three-day police remand. Meanwhile, Industry Minister Vipul Goel met Junaid’s family members and assured them of full justice.