The father of Alwar lynching victim Rakbar Khan moved the Supreme Court seeking an independent probe into his son’s death and the transfer of the trial outside Rajasthan.
A bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra will hear the petition next week. Rakbar Khan was allegedly thrashed by a mob after accusing him of smuggling cows. He succumbed to his injuries in a hospital. He died because of a delay in the police taking him to hospital, his family has alleged.
The Rajasthan Police, through additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta, since told the court that it had taken disciplinary action against the “erring” policemen.
The officer-in-charge has be suspended and two others have been transferred, Mehta told the court. But his family and activists termed the punishment inadequate given the magnitude of the crime. The case is being argued by senior advocate Indira Jaising.
A charge-sheet has been filed against three of the accused on the charges of murder. One accused is absconding. Rakbar Khan’s father is seeking an independent courtmonitored probe, like by a special investigation team.
He also urged the top court to to transfer the case trial outside the state in the interest of justice. Only the Supreme Court is empowered to transfer cases out of one state to another.
Activists have demanded answers over the Alwar attack which occurred in the backdrop of interventions by the top court to prevent lynching. The top court has even framed a number of guidelines asking states to put in place mechanisms to keep a vigil on lynching probes.
Lynchings have, however, continued, prompting some to move contempt petitions against state governments in court. Activists have also called for suitable compensation for those affected by such incidents.