Pehlu Khan’s Family Threatens Mass Suicide; Case Handed to CID

Alwar lynching victim Pehlu Khan’s family threatened to kill themselves if the accused get bail.

Pehlu Khan’s son, Irshad (left) and Ballabgarh lynching victim Junaid’s father, Alimuddin share their grief at Jantar Mantar. (Photo: PTI)

Three months after dairy farmer Pehlu Khan was lynched allegedly by an irate mob of self-proclaimed cow vigilantes, the state police has handed the investigation to CID’s crime branch, Hindustan Times reported.

Khan’s family members expressed resentment over the slow-moving probe and threatened to commit mass suicide if the accused get bail.

“The pace of the investigation is very disappointing. Despite strong evidence, the accused are likely to get bail within three months. If that happens, all our family members will commit suicide in the court,” Pehlu Khan's uncle Hussain Khan told Hindustan Times.

Even lawyers are scared due to the pressure exerted by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bajarang Dal.

Pehlu Khan’s uncle

Pehlu Khan was waylaid and beaten mercilessly when he was transporting cows to his small dairy farm in Rajasthan’s Alwar. He died two days later.

At an event organised by the Bhumi Adhikar Andolan in New Delhi, Pehlu Khan’s sons, Irshad and Arif, lashed out at the government for dividing the country on communal lines.

If the government desires, it can stop the gau rakshaks and the RSS from creating terror and injecting communal poison in the society. However, these organisations confidently say they are not scared of the law.

Irshad, son of Pehlu Khan

He said the government made its intention clear by failing to take any action against the accused.

Irshad said the call for cow protection was aimed at splintering the unity between Hindus and Muslims.

“What had Junaid done? Did he have a cow with him when he was attacked and killed? The RSS and Bajarang Dal are trying to divide Hindus and Muslims on communal lines by taking up the issue of cow protection,” he said, talking about the stabbing of a Muslim youth on a train on 22 June.

(With inputs from IANS.)