Dalit man's body exhumed for autopsy after sister files plaint

A day after an FIR was lodged in connection with the death and burial of a 22-year old Dalit man in Sirka area of the district, police today exhumed his body in presence of a magistrate and sent it for autopsy, official sources said.

Mukesh Ram, a resident of Sirka in Ramgarh town police station area of the district, was allegedly beaten up by three men around 12 days ago.

He succumbed to his injuries a week later.

In a complaint filed yesterday, Ram's elder sister Champa Kumari said the three men not only assaulted his brother, but also forced her family members to bury his body, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Radha Prem Kishore said.

"Mukesh, who was allegedly beaten up on July 23, underwent a primary treatment at a local hospital and returned home. A week later, however, his condition deteriorated and he died on way to the hospital," Kishore said quoting the FIR.

Kumari, 26, also alleged that her family was not allowed to perform the last rites of his brother.

Minutes after Kumari filed the police complaint yesterday, representatives of various socio-religious, along with local people, gheraoed Ramgarh police station, demanding immediate arrest of the accused, the officer said.

Two among the three accused have been identified as Samir Ansari and Ashique Ansari, the SDPO said.

"All three of them are at large and a team of officers are looking for them. The police are also trying to ascertain the reason behind the assault," he added.