Mob lynches man, injures another over ‘theft’ in Guj

AHMEDABAD: A man was lynched and another critically injured after a mob in the tribal district of Dahod intercepted two history sheeters and beat them up on suspicion of theft late on Saturday, police said.

Police have registered a case of murder and rioting against 100 people following the incident in Kali Mahudi village of Jalod taluka, just over 200 km east of Ahmedabad.

The police said the two men had been released on bail from Dahod jail in a theft case only four days ago. The deceased has been identified as Ajmel Vahoniya (22) and the injured as Bharu Palas.

“Palas told us they were on bike travelling to Jhalod on Saturday

THE DECEASED HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS AJMEL VAHONIYA (22) AND THE INJURED AS BHARU PALAS

when a group of people stopped them while they were crossing Kali Mahudi village. Suspecting that they were running away after a robbery, the group called other people as well. He said that a mob of around 100 people beat them with sticks and iron rods,” said P K Judal, investigating officer with Limbdi police station.

The officer added a villager had called up the police but by the time they reached the spot, the mob had badly thrashed the duo. “Vahoniya died on the spot. Palas was taken to a hospital,” said Judal.

Police said both Vahoniya and Palas have robbery and theft cases against them. “Vahoniya was also accused in a double murder case,” said the police official.

The villagers reportedly told the police that upon information that a big group of robbers had arrived in their village, they have managed to catch the duo, while other fled.

The police said it was trying to identify those who were part of the mob to make arrest.

The latest lynching came four days after the Union government announced a high-level committee to “deliberate” and “make recommendations” for a separate penal provision on incidents of mob violence.