New Delhi: A special fast track court in Jharkhand on Thursday sentenced 11 of the 12 accused persons to life imprisonment in a case involving lynching of a Muslim trader for transporting beef last year.
The court deferred its decision on the 12th convict who is a juvenile.
In June last year, Alimuddin Ansari alias Asgar Ansari, 55, was beaten to death in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district.
While transporting the meat in a Maruti van, he was stopped by a group of self-styled cow vigilantes near Bajartand village and brutally attacked. His van was set on fire.
Police took him to a nearby hospital where he died during the course of treatment. A video of the incident later went viral on social media.
Reacting to the incident, the state government requested Jharkhand High Court (HC) to constitute a special fast track court for a speedy trial in the matter.
On March 16, the court held all the accused guilty under various sections of Indian Penal Code, including murder.
On Thursday, the court directed District Services Legal Authority (DLSA) to ensure adequate compensation to the victim’s family.
“Besides, sentencing them for life term the court has also slapped a fine of Rs2,000 (Dh112) on each the accused,” additional public prosecutor Sushil Kumar Shukla said.
Meanwhile, Ansari’s family expressed satisfaction at the verdict.
“The death of my husband is an irreparable loss for my family but I do not want more bloodshed. I want to live in peace with family and society. I am satisfied with the verdict,” Alimuddin Ansari’s widow Mariam Khatun told media.
