RAMGARH (JHARKHAND): A local BJP leader was among the seven people arrested while one person surrendered in court for their alleged roles in the June 29 lynching of a meat trader in Ramgarh district.
Ramgarh Superintendent of Police Kishore Kaushal said today that Nityanand Mahato, a BJP leader in Ramgarh, was arrested yesterday while another accused was nabbed the day before.
One of the prime accused Chhotu Rana surrendered in the Ramgarh court yesterday.
Five more persons were arrested today in connection with the incident in which the 40-year-old meat trader, a resident of village Manua in Hazaribagh district, was beaten to death by a mob on Thursday on suspicion that he was carrying beef in his vehicle, which too had been set on fire.
In a joint press conference with Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner Rajeshwari B, the SP said that five of the seven arrests were made based on videos and photos.
The police officer said the police would seek remand of Chhotu Rana, who surrendered in the Ramgarh court, adding that the police would also seek 'kurki jabti' (property attachment) for two named accused Deepak Mishra and Chhotu Verma, who are still absconding.
The SP said apart from an SIT probe, a special team has been constituted to review the videos and photos which were circulated in the social media.
The deputy commissioner said that prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC has been removed on a report from Sub-Divisional Officer Anant Kumar, who said the situation in Ramgarh district was normal.
She said the SDO today visited the house of the deceased Md Alimuddin and handed over a cheque of Rs two lakh to the widow Mariam Khatoon at Manua village under Giddi police station of neighbouring Hazaribagh district.