NCPCR demands detailed report on police action in lynching of Dalit youth in Alwar

In a recent development in the lynching of Dalit youth Yogesh Jatav in Alwar, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sent a notice to the Alwar Superintendent of Police demanding a detailed report on police action in the case and age proof of the victim. Yogesh Jatav was lynched to death after his bike hit a woman on September 15 when he swerved to avoid a pothole. The mob attacked him brutally with sticks and rods, following which Yogesh went into a coma. Though initially rushed to a private hospital, he was then sent to Jaipur-based SMS hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Yogesh passed away on Saturday. His body was handed over to relatives after a postmortem on September 19.

The villagers staged a massive protest on Sunday. His body was placed on the Alwar-Bharatpur road from 3 pm to 6 pm, and the protestors demanded the arrest of Yogesh's assaulters. However, they ended the protest and cremated the body following persuasion by the administration after informing that their anger has not yet subsided and that the police should arrest those responsible. The demand for financial assistance for the maintenance of the family was also raised.

A case has been registered against six people following a complaint by the victim's family on September 16. In the complaint, Yogesh's father said that his son was surrounded by Rashid, Sajeet Pathan, Mubina and four other people who accused him of hitting 'their' girl. Yogesh was critically injured following the assault.

BJP state chief Satish Poonia condemned the incident and raised suspicions on the law and order situation in the state. "Rajasthan once again has been ashamed. The brutal way in which 17-year-old Yogesh Jatav has been mobbed to death proves the breakdown of law and order in the state," he said.

"In 2019, a similar incident was reported when Harish Jatav was lynched after his vehicle hit a woman. Krishna Valmiki from Jhalawad also faced a similar fate. On one hand, Rajasthan government brought a law against mob lynching, on the other hand Dalits have been lynched here. Rajasthan Dalits are being tormented the most in the nation under Congress rule," said Poonia.