On Saturday, in Teliyahi village, Palamu, Jharkhand, a young man was beaten to death by villagers on suspicion of stealing a tractor battery. The deceased has been identified as Pawan Ram (also referred to as Pawan Kumar), a Dalit youth and resident of Murma village, under the jurisdiction of Padwa Police Station.
Eyewitnesses stated that Pawan Ram was apprehended by villagers while allegedly attempting to steal a battery from a tractor parked by the roadside. A crowd soon gathered, and the youth was tied up and brutally beaten with sticks, punches, and kicks. Despite his pleas for mercy, the mob continued the assault.
Police arrived after receiving reports of the attack, rescued him, and rushed him to Medinirai Medical College Hospital. Doctors declared him brought dead. The victim had sustained multiple injuries across his body.
Investigation and FIR
Palamu SP Rishma Ramesan confirmed that prima facie, the case appears to be one of mob lynching. One suspect has been detained, and police are conducting raids to identify and arrest other accused.
An FIR has been registered at Padwa Police Station under relevant sections pertaining to mob lynching. Preliminary investigations suggest that the alleged theft was a pretext, and the violence may have been triggered because Pawan Ram had gone to meet a girl whose family reportedly opposed him.
Post-mortem of the deceased is being conducted by a medical board under the supervision of a magistrate, with videography and photography of the procedure for official records.
Security and Public Reaction
In the aftermath, additional police forces have been deployed in the village to maintain peace. The incident has sparked anger among local residents, who have blocked roads in protest. Former Jharkhand CM Babulal Marandi also posted on social media demanding the arrest of those responsible.
“In Jharkhand, atrocities against the poor, Dalits, and tribals are happening day after day. Land is being looted, murders are being committed. The chain of crimes against these sections shows no signs of stopping. Even the Finance Minister from the Dalit community is being humiliated by Chief Minister @HemantSorenJMM and the Chief Secretary,” he said.
