11 Arrested in Lynching Case of Dalit Man Over Drone Theft Suspicion

Raebareli (UP), Oct 9 (PTI) Two men have been apprehended in connection with the lynching of a 40-year-old Dalit man who was suspected of "drone theft," according to police statements made on Thursday.

The recent arrests have increased the total number of individuals detained in relation to the murder to 11. Shivam Agrahari, a resident of Baniyan Majre Pachkhara, and Hemant Kumar of Jamunapar, were taken into custody on Wednesday night, as detailed in a police report. Five police officers, including two sub-inspectors, have been suspended due to dereliction of duty.

Hariom Valmiki was reportedly beaten to death by villagers who mistakenly identified him as a thief during a night watch on October 2nd in Jamunapur village. Valmiki was assaulted following rumors that a crime ring was utilizing drones for reconnaissance to earmark homes for theft. Previously, authorities indicated that they would apply the stringent Gangsters Act and the National Security Act (NSA) against those accused, cautioning against assigning a casteist angle to the event.

The NSA enables states to detain persons to avert actions detrimental to the defense of India, with a maximum confinement period of 12 months, which can be rescinded sooner. The Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, aims to combat organized crime by establishing specific statutes to manage gangsters and anti-social conduct. Initially, five individuals, Vaibhav Singh, Vijay Kumar, Sahdev Pasi, Vijay Maurya, and Suresh Kumar Maurya, were apprehended for the murder shortly after the occurrence, with four additional arrests transpiring on Tuesday.

The lynching, a video of which circulated widely on social media, instigated widespread outrage. The Congress party condemned it as a "murder of humanity" and the essence of the Constitution, describing the incident as a grave affront to societal morality. In a joint declaration, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and former party leader Rahul Gandhi, condemned the episode, alleging that mob lynching, "bulldozer injustice," and mobocracy have become a terrifying feature of contemporary times. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had previously communicated support to the victim's brother over the phone.

Hariom, who resided in Fatehpur, suffered attacks using sticks, rods, and belts. He appeared to have mental instability and difficulty expressing himself. Police were notified of the incident the following morning. (

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