Police protecting killers of Pehlu Khan: Activists

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 26

A group of human rights activists, including senior Supreme Court lawyers, today announced to pursue legally all barbaric attacks by cow vigilantes, including the death of Pehlu Khan.

The group released an independent probe report related to the alleged killing of Khan by six cow vigilantes in Behror town of Alwar district in Rajasthan while returning to his native village in Nuh (Haryana) from Jaipur.

The other four members accompanying Khan were also injured. They were returning home after purchasing two cows from a cattle fair in Jaipur when they were attacked.

The report alleged that the Rajasthan Police were protecting the accused. It did not invoke provision like attempt to murder and conspiracy against the accused.

The police submitted chargesheet against the accused to give them clean chit subsequently. It batted for closure of the case.

Senior Supreme Court lawyers Indira Jaising (former Additional Solicitor General) and Prashant Bhushan, activist Teesta Setalvad and controversial JNU student leader Umar Khalid were among those who released the report in the presence of Khan’s wife and son.

Setalvad said: “It is our duty to support Pehlu Khan’s family for justice. The report will be submitted to MPs to be raised in Parliament.”

It would also be raised in the Rajasthan and Haryana Assemblies, she added.

A committee would be constituted to pursue all attacks by gaurakshaks. Also, the National Human Rights Commission would be approached, she said.