7 arrested for Dalit torture in Rajasthan’s Nagaur; protest in Assembly

Our Correspondent

Jaipur, February 20

A protest was witnessed in the Rajasthan Assembly on Thursday over an incident of torture of two Dalit youths in Nagaur district.

Police on Thursday arrested seven accused in the case.

As Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot started reading the budget speech in the House, three Rashtriya Lok Tantrik Party MLAs sat on the stairs of the entry gate protesting against the torture of Dalit youths over a minor theft case on Wednesday.

Earlier, Speaker CP Joshi denied permission to show placards in the House.

Additional DGP (Civil Rights) Ravi Prakash said as per the preliminary report, two youths Visaram and Pannaram were allegedly tied up and beaten up by some persons of Auto Mobbile Bike agency at Karnu village in Nagaur district on February 16.

A video that has gone viral on social media on February 19 showed the youths being beaten up and petrol poured into their private parts, the ADGP said in a statement here. The two were allegedly accused of stealing cash from the counter. Visaram was later admitted to a hospital.

A case under various sections of the IPC and SC/ST Act was registered against the accused. The case is to be probed by investigation officer Mukul Sharma. A counter-FIR was also lodged.

On the viral video, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “Dalit men being brutally tortured in Nagaur, Rajasthan is horrific and sickening. I urge the state government to take immediate action to bring the perpetrators of this shocking crime to justice.”

Boycotting the budget speech, three RLTP members Indira Devi Bawari, Pukhraj Garg and Narayan Beniwal held a protest on the stairs demanding removal of Nagaur SP. Earlier, the three MLAs wanted to walk up to the Well but the Speaker stopped them from doing so after which they walked out.

Meanwhile, taking a cognizance of Rahul Gandhi’s concern, PCC president Sachin Pilot set up a committee to probe the case and visit the incident place on February 21.