RANCHI: In a fresh challenge posed before district administration in Dumka, the tribal organization - 'Disom Manjhi' imposed fine of Rs 7.1 lakh on 9 people, accusing them of the murder of Mahesh Hansda and distributed the amount equally among 242 persons, including mother and wife of the deceased.
Interestingly, the 'Mahapanchayat' continued for three days which held nine persons guilty for the murder which had already been declared a suicide by the Police. During 'Mahapanchayat' at Kurumba village under Gopikandar Police Station in Dunmka, the accused persons were also made to sign a bond while the amount collected from them were distributed equally among 198 Gram Pradhan, 27 volunteers, 7 cooks who cooked food for everyone during all four days along with the mother and wife of the deceased, which came around Rs 2917 per head.
Police, however, said that it will definitely act if any formal complaint is made in this regard. "We have got information through media reports that a huge amount of money was collected by a Panchayat organized by 'Mude Manjhi' and I have asked the Sub-Divisional Police Officer to look into the matter and take legal action against them," said Dumka SP Kishore Kaushal.
No complaint has been lodged so far in this regard, but Police are trying to verify the facts and if any such thing comes during an investigation, the law will take its own course, he added. As far as the case is concerned, SP said, "A re-investigation has been ordered on the basis of the facts provided by the family members."
He further added that the postmortem report clearly indicates that the death was caused by asphyxia due to drowning and no injury was found on the body of the deceased. "Still, we are looking into all possible angles," Kausal said. Meanwhile, an investigation is being done after registering a UD case in the matter, he added. It all started with a small Panchayat - Mode Manjhi which finally took shape of 'Disom Manjhi' after mother of deceased Shubhomati took the matter with it alleging Gram Pradhan Baha Tudu of not co-operating her in punishing those who killed her son.
Gram Pradhan was also held guilty for not cooperating with Shubhomati and was imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh while his two aides Lucy Patras and Vimal Marandi were made to pay Rs 55, 000 and 60, 000 as fine.
Other five accused persons - Niraj Marandi, Lukhiram Kisku, Shivlal Hembrom, Kalam Hembrom and Charan Marandi were imposed a fine of Rs 1.10 lakh each. Hansda's first wife Hemamuni Hembrom separated a few years back, has been made prime convict and was imposed a fine of Rs 1.10 lakh with a direction to pay the fine amount by Wednesday evening which will be given to the deceased mother and wife Sona as compensation.
Though Hansda later married to Sona, he was allegedly seen coming out of her house before he went missing along with some other people following which his body was found in a well. The postmortem report said that Hansda died of drowning, following which Police registered a case of UD (unnatural death) but his mother raised suspicion over his death and approached Mode Manjhi for justice and finally turned into Disom Manjhi.
Moreover, 'Dishom Manjhi' announced a social boycott of Jyotish Baski, who did not turn up before it despite being called twice by the members of Dishom Manjhi barring him to take part in any social function or gathering.