Police on Monday arrested four more people in connection to lynching of Tabrez Ansari who died in a hospital on Saturday. The four arrested persons have been identified as Premchand Mahli, Kamal Mahto, Bhim Mandal and Sonamu Pradhan. On Sunday the police had arrested Pappu Mondol related to the case.
The victim, Tabrez, a resident of Kharsawan, was allegedly caught after stealing a motorcycle, a purse, a voter I-card and cellphone from Dhatkidih along with two of his associates. He was nabbed by a group of villagers. The villagers had also allegedly forced him to chant 'Jai Sri Ram' and 'Jai Bajrangbali.'
Police have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the lynching. Several videos of the lynching have gone viral on the social media. In a video, Tabrez was heard chanting ‘Jai Sriram and Jai Hanuman’ as directed by the mob.
Seraikela-Kharsawan superintendent of police, Karthik S said they have set up a three-member high-level team comprised of SDO, Seraikela, SDPO, Headquarters and civil surgeon.
"We are investigating the incident. We have so far arrested five persons in connection to the case, but have at the same time set up a high-level team to probe the entire matter meticulously," said Karthik. He said they have suspended the OC, Seraikela thana Chandra Mohan Oraon and OC, Sini Thana outpost, Bipin Kumar, adding that more will be booked soon.
While the incident of lynching of Tabrez following the forcible chanting by him "Jai Sri Ram", "Jai Bajranwali" by the assailants evoked strong reaction, the locals of the Dhatkidih village come out with a different version.
“As per our understanding Tabrez died at the hospital four days after he was thrashed up by people at Dhatkidih, but the thrashing was no so intense that he would have died," said a local resident.
During the probe it was found that Tabrez and two of his associates, Noomar Ali (19) and Seikh Irfan (18) had first committed a theft at the house of Rajesh Pramanik at Mahalimurup and Fulchand Pradhan at Murup villages, before committing theft at Sagar Pradhan, also in Murup.
After theft at the three houses, the trio had climbed on the roof top of Bishnu Pradhan's house at Dhatkidih, but incidentally as Pradhan's son was awake on the roof top, he raised an alarm, leading the three to flee.
While Noomar and Irfan managed to escape by jumping down the building, Tabrez too jumped but he sustained grievous injury in his left ankle in course of the jump.
While the people were searching for the thieves here and there, Tabrez kept on hiding in the bush and could be traced two women who had gone there to respond nature's call at about 1 am. It was after the women found Tabrez there; they raised an alarm and made the villagers to catch hold of Tabrez.