Custodial death: Family relents after ₹25 lakh compensation, job

BARMER: The family of the 27-yearold Dalit man, who allegedly died in police custody in Rajasthan’s Barmer, relented on Sunday evening after government announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a government job to the next of kin.

Earlier, the family had refused autopsy of the body, demanding Rs 1 crore compensation, government job and a CBI inquiry into the custodial deaths.

Jeetu Khateek’s family and protesters were sitting with his body outside the hospital, where the scrap dealer died during treatment on Thursday. The sit-in was lifted on Sunday evening after which the post-mortem began.

On Sunday, a delegation of Khateek community met the state chief minister Ashok Gehlot in Jodhpur. Delegation member said that CM has asked them to meet former minister Babulal Nagar, who reached Barmer on Sunday. Delegation member claimed that Nagar reached Barmer on CM’S directions.

The breakthrough came after meeting of a delegation including deceased family member with Nagar at circuit house in Barmer.

Earlier on Sunday Khateek’s mother Sushila Devi and his wife Durga were admitted to government hospital after their health worsened. Sushila Devi complaint of uneasiness and Durga was admitted with complaint in breathing. According to doctors Durga has asthma. “Both patients are now stable,” said Dr BL Mansuriya, principal medical officer at Barmer government hospital.

In another development, a delegation of BJP leaders reachedbarmer on Sunday to take stock of the incident. The delegation comprised Jalore MP Devji Patel, former minister and sitting MLA Madan Dilawar, BJP’S state unit vice-president Rajendra Gehlot and BJP leader Rajendra Singh Shekhawat. The delegation met Khateek’s family members and joined the protest.