Social organizations and political parties allege malice in investigating Ketan Lal murder case
Social organizations and political parties allege malice in investigating Ketan Lal murder case
Dehradun, Aug 10
A delegation representing various social organizations and political parties met Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan regarding the murder of Ketan Lal in Tehri which took place in June this year. The delegation stated that the police are acting under pressure from a casteist mob in this case. They explicitly alleged that an attempt is being made to benefit the accused party by registering a case under the POCSO Act against the sole eyewitness and sending him to jail.
The delegation noted that the girl’s mother had alleged that Ketan and Diwakar Bhatt raped her daughter. However, there are several inconsistencies in her statement. The girl underwent a medical examination more than a month after the incident occurred. According to the police, the examination confirmed the girl’s pregnancy but police officials also state that the pregnancy dates back to approximately three months prior, not the time of the alleged incident.
The delegation pointed out that a case has been registered against Diwakar Dimri under Section 5(n) of the POCSO Act. This section applies when the perpetrator is a family member or a close relative—which Diwakar Dimri is not—indicating that the case was registered hastily and under pressure from a mob enjoying political patronage. This is the same mob that has threatened to chop the body into a hundred pieces and vowed to ensure that the Lambgaon police station is shifted from the area. In several videos, members of this mob were heard claiming that Ketan was not merely murdered but “slain” (as an act of righteous killing) and that the act was entirely justified.
Citing Ketan’s father, Dhanpal Lal, the delegation stated that the family faces threats and the children are afraid to commute to and from school. They urged that arrangements be made to ensure the family’s safety and provide them with necessary facilities. The delegation also expressed concern regarding the girl, noting that the manner in which the accused’s family and their supporters are actively trying to malign her makes it evident that their priority is not the girl’s well-being, but rather shielding her accused father and grandfather. Consequently, the girl’s safety is also at risk.
The Chief Secretary assured the delegation that he would take all possible action at his level regarding the matter and direct the police to take the necessary steps. The delegation mentioned that they were also attempting to meet the Director General of Police and would do so as soon as an appointment was granted.
The delegation included Samar Bhandari (CPI), Rajendra Purohit (State Secretary, CPM), Indresh Maikhuri (State Secretary, CPI-ML), Dr. Ravi Chopra, Prof. N. Raghavendra, Trilochan Bhatt, (Uttarakhand Insaniyat Manch), Vimala Koli (Uttarakhand Mahila Manch), independent columnist R.P. Vishal, Sarvodaya activist Bhuvan Pathak, and social activist Raghunath Arya.
