Muslim man’s head crushed with a stone; Rajasthan police say killer may be mentally unsound

The murder of a Muslim man, whose head was crushed with stones outside a police station in Rajasthan’s Alwar district, by a Hindu man, who was reportedly seen at the station shortly before the attack and was said to have threatened to kill someone, while the police reportedly did not intervene to stop the assailant, has been described by critics as a blot on the BJP government.

The police rejected the suspicion raised by the victim’s family that his Muslim identity could have been the reason for the murder, suggesting that the assailant was not mentally sound, though it should be medically proved.

According to his family, 40-year-old Saikun Khan, a resident of Barawas village, had left home on the morning of September 24 to buy a new tyre for his motorcycle from Baroda Meo, which is about 10 kilometres away.

Reports suggest Saikun, who was near the gate of the Baroda Meo police station, was suddenly struck on the head with a heavy stone by 21-year-old Hindu man Harsh, causing him to fall beneath his motorcycle, after which Harsh repeatedly struck his head.

Saikun was taken first to the local community health centre and was subsequently referred to a hospital in Alwar, but he died before reaching it. Police identified the alleged attacker as Harsh, 21, a local resident, and registered a murder case against him, The Wire reported.

Saikun’s family has alleged that Harsh had earlier been brought to the police station following a dispute with his father and, after being released, had challenged the police that he would kill someone. They have questioned why no steps were taken to prevent the subsequent attack.

Alwar Additional Superintendent of Police Priyanka Raghuvanshi, however, said the police had not found evidence supporting the allegation that Harsh had been inside the station before the attack. She also said the location of the assault could not be seen from inside the station and that officers rushed out after hearing cries for help.

Police have also rejected the family’s allegation that Saikun was targeted because he was a Muslim. His brother, Irshad Khan, said Saikun had no known enmity with anyone and lived a simple life centred on his farm and mosque.

The killing has triggered protests demanding compensation for the bereaved family and action against the accused, while the opposition Congress has criticised the BJP-led Rajasthan government over the incident.