Police & Doctors’ Negligence Led to Tabrez Ansari’s Death

Police negligence, doctors’ lapses led to Tabrez Ansari’s death: Report

24-year-old Tabrez Ansari was caught by a mob on 18 June, tied to a pole and beaten to death over several hours.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter Screengrab)

Negligence on the part of police and doctors' lapses led to the death of Tabrez Ansari, a 24-year-old Muslim youth who was allegedly beaten up by a mob and forced to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Jai Hanuman', a three-member probe team has said.

Two police officers have already been suspended in the case and action would be taken against the erring doctors, the team said in its report.

The report was submitted by the government to the Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday, 17 July. The court has sought a reply by 30 July.

“From the time Ansari was caught by villagers to the arrival of the police, 4-5 hours had lapsed. Delay in arrival may be explained by the police standing orders in the district under which the cops have been directed to confirm any information before making a move, in the aftermath of the Kukru block incident in which five policemen were killed by Naxals,” says the SDM report.

"There was negligence on the part of the police and the doctors. While the police reached late, the doctors did not see (diagnose) skull injury," Seraikela-Kharsawan Deputy Commissioner Anjaneyulu Dodde, who headed the three-member administration team.

Corroborating Dodde, a civil surgeon who has been transferred to Khunti after the incident, said that X-ray and full body scan should have been carried out, but the tests were not performed as there was no symptom of brain injury.

Background of the Incident

According to the report, Tabrez Ansari and two of his associates were caught during a theft at a house on 17 June. While his associates escaped, Ansari was caught with stolen bike and other items.

The villagers thrashed Ansari and according to a video that went viral he was forced to raise ‘Jai Sri Ram’ slogan, which has not been mentioned in the report.

A severely wounded Ansari was taken to a district hospital, which cleared him for jail.

Four days later, when his condition deteriorated, he was rushed to another hospital, where the doctors declared him "brought dead". Ansari had reportedly suffered serious injuries on the head.

Eleven people, including main accused Pappu Mandal, have been arrested so far in connection with the incident.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)