Guj Mob Violence: Dalits Tie Up Man & Upper-Caste Man Beats Him

The victim was tied to a tree by members of his own community and then assaulted by an upper-caste bootlegger.

Rakesh Parmar was assaulted by members of his own community and an upper caste bootlegger.

(Photo Courtesy: Rahul Nair@The Quint)

Yet another case of mob violence has emerged from Gujarat. Police say the victim, a Dalit, was tied to a tree by members of his own community and assaulted by a local bootlegger. The incident occurred at Arnivada village of Kankrej Taluka in Banaskantha district on Monday, 3 June.

According to the police, the violence was a result of infighting between family members. The victim, Rakesh Parmar, had an altercation with his uncle Ramesh Parmar. Rakesh had allegedly taken Ramesh’s phone for repair, but failed to return it.

This led to a quarrel between the uncle and nephew on Sunday night (2 June). According to police, Rakesh assaulted his uncle Ramesh to such an extent that was admitted at Patan Civil Hospital. As the news about the thrashing spread across the village, the Dalit community decided to teach Rakesh, the nephew, a lesson.

Police say they tied him to a tree in the village with the help of local bootlegger, Bhailuji Solanki, and called the police. According to a video clip of what transpired next, Solanki can be seen thrashing Rakesh as the others watch. The video went viral on social media.

Personnel from the nearby Sihori police station reached the village and rescued Rakesh, but Rakesh told the cops that it was an internal matter and refused to file a complaint. 

However, cops later received a call from Patan Civil Hospital about the grievous injuries Ramesh received at Rakesh’s hands.

The cops returned to the village to arrest Rakesh, but he had absconded by then.

For now, a case has been lodged against the Solanki, an upper-caste man, under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

A probe in the case is currently underway.