Dalit boy in Uttarakhand killed allegedly over ‘relationship’ with upper caste girl

An 18-year-old Dalit youth was allegedly killed by the family of a 15-year-old upper-caste girl over their relationship in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district, according to The Indian Express.

Police said the victim, Ketan Lal, received a call from the girl’s phone on Sunday night and went to her house, where he was allegedly confined and assaulted by members of her family. Senior Superintendent of Police Shweta Choubey said he was kept there until Monday morning and beaten by the girl’s father and grandfather. A friend who accompanied him was also reportedly assaulted, Scroll.in reported.

According to the complaint, the girl’s father contacted Ketan Lal’s father, Dhampal Lal, on Monday morning and informed him about the incident, allegedly claiming that Ketan Lal had been killed and his body thrown into a stream.

Dhampal Lal said that he found his son critically injured at the location. He further said that while being taken to the hospital, Ketan Lal said he had been attacked because he belonged to a Scheduled Caste.

Ketan Lal later died while undergoing treatment.

The father stated that he had recorded a video of his son’s statement before his death and submitted it to the police as evidence.

The girl’s father and grandfather have been arrested and booked on charges of murder, common intention, and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Dhampal Lal also sought security for his family, alleging that those responsible for his son’s death could pose a threat to other family members as well.