Guj Dalit Man Killed by Wife’s Kin in Presence of Police Escort

The deceased Haresh Solanki with his wife Urmila Jhala

Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

In an alarming incident, a Dalit man in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad was lynched by his wife’s relatives, who belong to the upper-caste Darbar community, late on Monday, 8 July.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE INCIDENT

The victim, 25-year-old Haresh Solanki, had gone to visit his wife’s family with a police escort, when they were attacked. Solanki was killed on the spot and his wife has been missing ever since the incident.

The incident took place in Varmor village in Ahmedabad district’s Mandal tehsil.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE VICTIM COUPLE

Solanki and Jhala married six months back against her parents’ wishes. The couple thereafter started living with Solanki’s parents in Gandhidham, Kutch district.

Solanki’s wife, Urmila Jhala, is two-month pregnant.

According to PD Manvar, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (SC/ST Cell), Jhala’s relatives asked her to return, with a promise that she could go back after a few weeks.

“But when they refused to send her back for around two months, Solanki decided to visit her parents and convince them to send her back to him.”

PD Manvar

HOW THE INCIDENT UNFOLDED

On Monday, Solanki sought the help of Abhayam 181, the Gujarat government-run women helpline service. Their team consisted of two counsellors and one woman constable, who was unarmed.

Solanki arrived with the officials at Jhala’s residence in Varmor village, but he did not go inside. While he waited in the vehicle, the helpline officials went inside and tried to persuade Jhala’s family, Manvar told The Quint.

The car from the Women’s Helpline Abhayam 181 was damaged by Urmila Jhala’s relatives.(Photo Courtesy: Special Arrangement)

“At some point, Jhala’s relatives realised that Solanki was accompanying the officials. They rushed outside and attacked him with sharp and blunt objects. He sustained injuries to his head, and other parts of the body in the attack, and died.”

PD Manvar

The Abhayam vehicle was damaged, with window panes damaged, by her relatives as the officials tried to escape. The officials, too, sustained injuries.

WHAT ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN SO FAR

An FIR has been registered against eight persons, including Solanki’s in-laws, under Sections 302 (punishment for murder), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 147 (punishment for rioting) and under the SC and ST (prevention of atrocities) Act.

The accused fled their house after the incident. Efforts to nab them are underway, the police official said.

(With inputs from PTI)