Family of man killed in Raj to move rights panel

KOLKATA: The family members of Afrajul Khan, the construction worker from Malda who was killed in Rajasthan, have decided to appeal to the National and West Bengal Human Rights Commission to conduct the murder trial in West Bengal.

Rajasthan Police have already arrested Sambhu Lal Regar, the assailant of Khan and his nephew who allegedly recorded the killing and burning of the man from Bengal on a phone.

”The family members of Afrajul Khan are apprehending that fair trial of the murder isn’t possible at Rajasthan. Also the wife, daughters and other relatives of the deceased are apprehending that they might face attack it they dare to go to Rajasthan to give evidence,” said Asit Basu, special committee member of the bar council of West Bengal who will file the petition.

Basu claimed that the family members of the victim are getting threat calls to withdraw the case. “Proposals have come over phone to withdraw the case in lieu of money. We are suspecting that the family of Afrajul will not get proper security from Rajasthan state government and police. The appeal mentions these grounds,” added Basu.

He pointed out that the trial of the ‘Best Bakery’ case was shifted to Bombay from Gujarat on the basis of the petitioner’s appeal.

“I believe that fair trial isn’t possible in Rajasthan. The state failed to provide security to my innocent husband. I don’t believe that the same government will give us security and conduct a fair trial. So I am submitting the appeal,” said Gulbahar Bewa, the wife of the victim.

Basu is the former chairman of state bar council. He is likely to submit the appeal to the West Bengal Human Rights Commission on Friday .